Pump the brakes on Kirby Smart speculation with South Carolina job for now

Kirby Smart animated at practice 08-19-2015 Kirby Smart working with the Crimson Tide defense.

The sudden retirement of Steve Spurrier prompted a predictable reaction.

The tributes and quote compilations were quickly followed by speculation. Who's next in Columbia? A simple Internet search turns up lists of possible candidates, several of which include Alabama's defensive coordinator.

The PR machine behind an online sports book pumped emails to every sports writer covering college football. Kirby Smart topped the list.

Only this major opening is a little different from the rest because of the timing. And these lists/gambling odds are based on speculation, not sourced information from inside a national search too young to have favorites.

There's a rhythm to these things. Mid-October isn't the time you'll see a major college coach or coordinator uproot and take a new coaching job. Granted, this is a different kind of situation. But these moves come after the regular season.

It is notable to see Smart's name being floated, even if it's not from anything concrete. The 39-year old was a hot name after the 2012 season, but has since cooled in the realm of head coaching rumors. Defensive coaches aren't quite the same commodity in these days of hurry-up, spread-em-out offenses.

Most of the other names under South Carolina speculation -- Houston's Tom Herman, Memphis' Justin Fuente, WKU's Jeff Brohm and others -- coach high-powered offenses.

Among the biggest coaching swaps last year was offensive-minded Jim McElwain replacing former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. At Michigan, Brady Hoke came up coaching defense but was fired and replaced by former NFL quarterback Jim Harbaugh. The other home-run hires were offensive gurus Herman and Chad Morris at SMU. The rare exception was Pitt hiring Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi.

Smart's Alabama defense is among the nation's best again this year, ranking sixth in total yardage allowed. A major test will come Saturday when Texas A&M's high fast-paced, spread-out offense will examine the progress Alabama's made combating the new-aged look.

Smart's name hasn't been mentioned among coaching searches in recent offseasons. The nation's highest-paid assistant coach pulls in $1.35 million a year. Back in 2012, he interviewed for the head coaching job at Auburn. He was also connected to searches for top jobs at Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Southern Miss among others in 2011 and 2012.

Alabama's defense was hitting a peak in those years but has had a few struggles with the HUNH game in recent years. Solving those issues will certainly make Smart a candidate moving forward.

Just don't expect any movement in October.

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