Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, who is asking voters to elect him to a sixth term on Tuesday, has received an endorsement from former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban.

Saban said Maddox has been a strong leader for the city that Saban and his wife Terry have called home for 18 years.

“This is the best college town we’ve ever lived in,” Saban said in a video posted on X. “And it’s largely due to Mayor Maddox. Terry and I have worked closely with Mayor Maddox on several projects.

“He truly cares about the people in our community and makes great decisions to elevate Tuscaloosa.”

Maddox, first elected in 2005, called the endorsement an honor.

“The Sabans have devoted so much to Tuscaloosa, and they believe in the work we will continue to do in the next four years,” Maddox said.

Maddox and the city of Tuscaloosa have worked with the Saban family on the the Saban Center, which will be interactive hub for education, arts, recreation and discovery, according to the center’s website.

Maddox faces first-time candidate Denson Ferrell II, a military veteran and former police officer, in Tuesday’s election.

Saban has rarely weighed in on Alabama or national politics.

The Alabama Democratic Party has hinted it would be open to Saban running against Sen. Tommy Tuberville under its banner.

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia has known Saban since he was four years old and has said that is unlikely to happen.

“Nick won’t run,” Manchin told USA Today. “He would never run.”

Saban endorsed Manchin’s 2018 re-election campaign.