When it comes to discussions about the best coach in football, the conversation often comes down to the NFL’s Bill Belichick and Alabama’s Nick Saban.

The two all-time greats have a mutual respect for one another, and often sing each other’s praises.

On Monday, Belichick — the five-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots — told reporters that there’s no one he respects more than Saban (via MassLive.com):

“There’s nobody I have more respect for in football than Nick Saban — period,” he said. “Look, of course it’s flattering to be compared with Nick and the great success that he’s had there. The way his team’s performed, I don’t think anybody’s done it better than he has. I think probably every coach in football is trying to do it as well as he does it and has done it. But they do a tremendous job there, Nick’s a tremendous coach.”

Saban would probably say the same things about Belichick, as the Patriots have had a dynasty in the NFL since 2000.

Saban can put some distance between himself and Belichick, though, if he manages to win title No. 7 this season.