They have coached against Alabama coach Nick Saban in the most heated rivalry in college football, but two former Auburn coaches showed nothing but love for Saban, 72, who announced his retirement Wednesday.

Nick Saban spent 17 years in Tuscaloosa, and, in that time, recorded a 12-5 Iron Bowl record.

Gus Malzahn, who coached on The Plains from 2013 to 2020, posted on social media it was an “honor” to coach against Saban. Of the five losses Saban’s Tide sustained against Auburn, Malzahn – now the coach at Central Florida – engineered three of them as the Tigers coach. Malzahn earned wins in 2013 (28-27), 2017 (26-14) and 2019 (48-45).

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, congratulated Saban, who he called a “close friend.”

“As a close friend and competitor for decades, I want to congratulate Nick Saban on an historic coaching career that achieved seven national championships and 11 SEC championships – accomplishments that may never be equaled,” he posted.

“I have always admired his focus and his dedication to the game of football, tohis players, and to the state of Alabama. College football fans everywhere will miss Nick Saban on the sidelines every Saturday.”

Under Tuberville, Auburn had a 7-3 record against Alabama. However, that goes back to Saban’s days at LSU.

Tuberville is 4-3 against Saban overall, but they split only two Iron Bowls (2007: Auburn 17, Alabama 10 and 2008: Alabama 36, Auburn 0) in which they competed against each other.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.