Nick Saban usually doesn’t smile all that often.

But, he’s seemed to soften a bit this year, while still keeping the edge that makes him the greatest college football coach ever.

He’s had plenty of praise for this year’s team, and after a 24-22 4-overtime win over rival Auburn in this year’s Iron Bowl, Saban was actually all smiles talking to CBS reporter Jamie Erdahl.

He said he was proud of his team’s effort and the way they kept fighting despite an awful first half:

“I can’t put it into words,” he said. “For the guys to keep fighting like they did, and they have the 90-some yard drive to tie the game and get to overtime. The players, I’m so proud of the way they competed in the game and fought. We said that’s what we wanted to do at halftime and I couldn’t be prouder of them. It was unbelievable.

“I was really just trying to get our guys to focus on executing. I think they were a little bit out of sorts and I could kinda see it in their eyes. I just wanted them to go play. I told them to have fun at halftime. I told them, ‘just go have fun man, quit worrying about the result and just go have fun.'”

So, when did Saban feel like he was having fun? He said it wasn’t until WR John Metchie caught the game-winning 2-point conversion:

“When he caught the ball,” he laughed.

Alabama is now 11-1 and still has its College Football Playoff hopes alive. Next test? The SEC Championship Game against undefeated No. 1 Georgia.