Kirby Smart and Nick Saban spent some time together Friday night ahead of the SEC Championship in Atlanta.

Smart was asked about the nicest thing Saban has said to him, and Smart recalled how Saban shared many good wishes with him and the Alabama staff. It’s something Smart took with him to Georgia, to thanks coaches after each game.

“I think he’s opened up a little more, as he’s gotten more friendly, he even texted me back for the first time ever this year,” Smart said. “It was just talking about how hard it is to be successful and be consistent. He knows about expectations better than anybody. Very hard to find people you can relate to in regards to that, and I know he can.”

Saban joked that he learned how to text simple, short messages, without punctuation. As he turned serious, Saban said Smart was unique among his other assistants.

“Kirby managed his time with me better than any coach we’ve ever had,” Saban said. “Like, I used to sneak out at 3 in the afternoon in the spring and go play golf.”

Smart knew the 2 golf courses Saban could play, and once he got wind of Saban’s departure, Smart called other assistants to go play the other course, Saban revealed.

“I learned early on in my career who’s best friends with the coach, so you know where he’s headed, so you can head the oppposite,” Smart said.