Former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik was a big fan of the way Nick Saban’s players were always a class act in an interview with Sirius XM on Saturday.

Chizik coached at Auburn from 2009-2012. He coached 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton and beat Saban in the Iron Bowl that season. The Tigers won 28-27 after being down 24-7 at halftime. Chizik led Auburn to a national championship win over Oregon to cap off that campaign.

The former Auburn coach went 1-3 against Saban while at Auburn. Chizik spoke to just how much hatred there is in the Iron Bowl. However, with Saban’s teams, there was always a high level of class and character. That has always stuck with Chizik over the years.

“On the field, you never saw a lot of jawing. You never saw a lot of that come face-to-face at the middle of the field with guys talking crap before the game,” Chizik said. “He always talked class, he always talked about the way to carry yourself. He always talked about the way the program was built.

“It was built on class and integrity, his players exuded that on the field. You never saw him pointing at guys and trying to start all the crap. That’s what resonates with me.”

Chizik continued to observe Saban’s program as an analyst for the SEC Network.

“The wins speak volumes for themselves,” Chizik said. “But I want you to think about, what was the last time you saw an Alabama team get on the field and just as a team they looked out of control? You never saw it, right? Win, lose, or draw you never saw it.

“When they spoke to the media after the game, they were always complimentary of the opponent. It could Jalen Hurts, Tua, or Will Anderson and I could go down the list. Those guys carried themselves well and that’s always a product of leadership at the top.”

Saban will always be remembered as one of the greats for the wins, but the way his players acted should be remembered too.