Saban 'the devil himself'

Being called the devil by a former aide was 'terribly disappointing,' Nick Saban says

Two days after being called "the devil himself" by someone who served on his staff at two different places, Alabama coach Nick Saban sounded hurt.

“It really is a little terribly disappointing,” he said Thursday in response to comments made by Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis.

Saban spoke to members of the news media before a Crimson Caravan stop at Turner Field.

“I try to do right by the people that work for me," he said. "It’s a tough, demanding job. And at the same time, if anybody had an issue or problem with me, I would want them to just tell me.”

Earlier this year, Vanderbilt coach James Franklin referred to Saban as “Nicky Satan” at a speaking engagement, then soon apologized.

But Franklin never has worked for Saban. Davis worked two years as the offensive line coach under Saban with the Miami Dolphins, then served in 2008 as the director of player personnel at Alabama.

Davis now works for Florida coach Will Muschamp, who also worked with Saban, both at LSU and with the Dolphins

"I've always wanted to work with Will," Davis said at a booster club meeting Tuesday in Melbourne, Fla. "Will's got a plan. Will coached under the devil himself for seven years. I only did three. He did seven. And his DNA is not any different than Nick."

Saban was asked if the criticism is different when it comes from somebody who has worked for him.

“Twice. On two occasions,” Saban said. “It’s just disappointing. If somebody has a problem with me, I’d appreciate it if they’d tell me. If I’m doing something to offend somebody, I’d certainly like to do whatever I have to do to fix it. It’s not our intention. It’s not what we try to do.

“We’re in a tough business. It’s very competitive. Sometimes you’ve got to demand that people do things that maybe they don’t want to do, but it’s not personal.”

Davis also said Tuesday that Muschamp is “like the other guy, only he's got a personality. He'll smile at you. He'll talk to you. You understand? That's what he's all about. That's Will. I'm proud to work for him.”

Saban’s response was calm.

“I know it’s not representative of Will Muschamp and the University of Florida and the way they do things,” he said. “I know that, because I’m close enough to Will to know that.”