"Saban made Kirby". Unless Kirby was a little jizzy swimming around in Nick Saban's testicles then I tend to disagree.
Every man gets help along the way, including Saban. Kirby did his fair share to get Saban in this position also.
And regardless, because you respect someone doesn't mean you don't try to kick their ass. If you think your "friend" on staff isn't privy to Alabama doing a little dirty boxing in recruiting than he's full of shit. They all negative recruit in one way or another... Some more than others.
Lastly, I don't mean Saban's last stand literally. I mean figuratively. The bigger issue IMO is that if Jalen looks as uncomfortable as he has in the last 3 big games (playoffs & Auburn), he may have hitched his wagon to the wrong horse... Or the wrong play callers... FWIW.