Posted by: Josh Kendall on December 7, 2012

Whenever Nick Saban decides to hang it up at Alabama, defensive coordinator Kirby Smart would be a "great fit" to replace him, Saban's wife Terry said Friday morning on Smashmouth Radio in Birmingham, Ala.

"I can tell you Nick would never presume to think he had that kind of power," Terry Saban said. "He really respects our administration. He could give an opinion. Could Kirby do the job and do we think he'd be a great fit? Yes, of course. We believe that, we think that, he would be a great fit here and be able to move right in. But Nick is one of these guys to believe he has a place at the university."

When Nick Saban's coaching career comes to an end hasn't been decided, his wife said, but it will come to an end with the Crimson Tide if his wife has anything to say about it.

"We love it here," she said. "It's a great fit for our family. As far as we are concerned, this is where we will retire someday. As far as jobs go, this is it for us. I would have to talk things over with Nick, but as far as I am concerned, this is it."

Smart recently was linked to Auburn's head coaching job, and Terry Saban sent him an email offering her support, she said.

"Nick's philosophy has always been when people work hard for you and do a good job, they certainly deserve an opportunity," Terry Saban said. "He deserves a head coaching job some day. He's like a baby to us. He's like a son as well as a partner. We had similar relationships with Will Muschamp, with Jimbo Fisher, with Derek Dooley, Todd Grantham."

Terry Saban also talked about her husband's devotion to "The Process." On the ride home from away games, Saban begins watching game tape and making pages of handwritten notes.

"I say to him, 'You could do that so easily by pushing a button,' and he says, 'I have done this for 40 years this way and I am going to keep on doing it this way.'"

Here's Nick Saban discussing his philosophy recently:

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Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com