A common college football cliché is when a coach is recruiting a player they’ll tell their parents that their program is a family and the players are like their sons. Alabama head coach Nick Saban took it a step further on Monday.

Saban was asked about the relationship that Miss Terry, the matriarch of Tide football, has formed with defensive back Terrion Arnold. As Saban described it, their bond is akin to when one parent is harder on their child and the other has opted for a softer side.

“Her and Terrion are really kind of buddies,” said Saban, breaking out into a chuckle. “I know she sort of texts with him and all that. I kind of get on him. It’s just kind of like raising your children. I’m the guy that’s [sic] always trying to get them to do right, and she’s the momma who’s always trying to make them happy. That’s the way it’s been for a long time.”

Arnold has been on the receiving end of a couple of Saban’s rants this season. He explained earlier this season that he doesn’t take the criticism personally. In fact, it’s allowed him to see how much Saban cares about his development. Saban is known to be close to the secondary, with multiple noting Alabama has developed the moniker of ‘DBU’ through Saban’s extra care to the defensive backs.

It’s also become common for Arnold, a redshirt sophomore, to seek out Miss Terry to celebrate wins. The two embraced following the Tide’s win at Texas A&M and this past weekend at Kentucky.

On Sundays, according to Arnold, Miss Terry sends him motivational text messages. Outside linebacker Chris Braswell noted she’ll share advice with multiple players, but Arnold “might got a closer relationship with than everybody else.”

“She was just keeping the main thing the main thing,” Arnold said after Saturday’s win over Kentucky. “Reiterating it’s human nature to be at a high and you gotta stay focused, stay humble, stay disciplined.

“She’s almost like a second mom. One thing I will say, when I came here it wasn’t fake. It hasn’t been fake since I’ve been here. She really cares about all of us and she does a really good job of displaying that. Honestly, Coach Saban and her, they’re the type of people who will give you the shirt off their back. People don’t really get a chance to have a close relationship with him cause they think, ‘Oh, it’s Nick Saban.’”

Arnold is tied for the Alabama lead with two interceptions. He’s garnered national praise opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry. In Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest big board, Arnold was the 10th-ranked cornerback.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].