It's not like people, including fellow coaches, haven't taken shots at Nick Saban before. But Tim Davis' "the devil himself" comment really has had a life of its own.
Saban was still discussing the issue at the SEC spring meetings this week. Earlier this month Davis, a Florida assistant who used to be on Saban's staff, said the regrettable "devil himself" remark. In a rare show of emotion Saban seemed hurt by the comment.
This week he said Florida coach Will Muschamp and athletic director Jeremy Foley personally apologized to him for it.
"I said right off the bat that this is not a reflection of the University of Florida, Will Muschamp or the program," Saban said, according to AL.com. "That's really as much that needs to be said about it, OK?"
The difference between this remark and others seems to be that it came from a former Saban assistant. While it's easy to imagine that Saban pushes his assistants hard, he also seemed blindsided by Davis' remark.
"I was disappointed because when guys work for you, you have feelings for them and you're hopeful that they don't feel that way," Saban said, according to AL.com. "If somebody did feel that way, I just wish that they'd tell me."
Saban also made a little bit of a stir by saying he thinks the SEC should have nine conference games instead of eight. According to the AP, he was the only SEC coach to publicly endorse expanding the league schedule and said he knew he was in the minority with that opinion. He said he thought it was best for the league in the long run but added, "everybody has their reasons."
Maybe he just wants more opportunities to play Florida, which isn't on Alabama's schedule this year.
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