VIDEO: Nick Saban Says He Has ‘Tremendous Amount of Respect’ for Les Miles

The connection between Nick Saban and Les Miles goes well beyond a game everyone November. The latter took over for the former 12 years ago as the LSU head coach, a position that he held until Sunday.

Both coaches have been a part of the SEC for the past decade, together in the same insanely difficult division of college football. And both have had great levels of success.

"Les Miles is one of the most respected colleagues in terms of the rivalry that we've had, the competition that we've had, the great teams that they've had," Saban said at his press conference on Monday.

News broke on Sunday following LSU's 18-13 loss to Auburn that Miles would be relieved from his position as head coach so that the school could go a different direction.

"I kinda hated that a man wins a national championship, wins two SEC titles, and doesn't make it through the season. It is what it is, but I have tremendous amount of respect for Les Miles."

He will leave LSU as one of just four coaches in SEC history to win 8+ games for 11 straight seasons.