Nick Saban is known as 1 of the most fieriest coaches in all of sports. So when 1 of his assistants steps up vocally, Saban appreciates the gesture.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is mild-mannered by nature. However, Steele had some stern words for Alabama’s defense at halftime of the crucial 42-28 victory vs. LSU. The game was tied at 21 and Steele emotionally implored players to step it up.

During a recent press conference, Saban expressed that the 65-year-old Steele has full command of the locker room whenever he decides to address the group.

“Yeah, well, I don’t know if you saw my eye, but my eye’s all red. So I went to the doctor and asking are you coughing, are you sick and all that,” Saban said. “He said, ‘Well, it must be from yelling.’ So I guess I do like the release of other people sort of getting on players when they need it. Not in a negative way, but in a way that’s inspiring to them and gets them to play better. … He’s pretty soft-spoken most of the time, but when he does get on them or says something, everybody listens.”

The message was well-received as No. 8 Alabama is now in firm control of the SEC West with a trip to the conference title game within grasp. A win this weekend at Kentucky would secure the division for Alabama. Alabama at Kentucky is set for 12 p.m. EST (ESPN).