Nick Saban publicly addressed the departure of former Alabama DC Pete Golding at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.

Golding, who left for the same position at Ole Miss, served on Alabama’s staff from 2018-2022.

Saban was complimentary about Golding’s exit when asked about it in Nashville on Wednesday.

“Everybody needs to make their personal choices and decisions about where they think they can best develop their career. Pete did a great job for us,” Saban said. “I like Pete and he improved every year for us in terms of how he did his job, which I was always pleased with.

“He chose for personal reasons, or whatever reasons, there was a better opportunity for him to go some place else and that’s his prerogative. And we wish him well.”

Here’s video of Saban’s comments:

Alabama ranked 4th nationally last season by allowing just 4.59 yards per play. That was also the top number in the SEC. Georgia was the only other SEC program to rank in the top 25 of yards per play allowed last season.

Alabama replaced Golding with new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele earlier this offseason.