GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Will Muschamp and Nick Saban first met at LSU’s bowl practice in 2000. They spoke for 20 minutes about football and philosophy.
A month later, Saban called Muschamp for an interview and hired him the same night.
They spent the next five years together. Meetings, practices, meals, road trips, games, family get-togethers, they were seemingly inseparable. Saban was the defensive guru with passion, vision and NFL experience. Muschamp was his student, willing to learn everything he could about the intricacies of defense.
Together, they helped lead LSU to the 2003 national championship. Eight years later, they’re on opposite sidelines as head coaches for the first time, Saban with No. 3 Alabama; Muschamp with No. 12 Florida.
Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, it won’t change the respect they have for each other.
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