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Mario Cristobal: Nick Saban 'probably didn't pay me enough for getting him all those players'

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax09/25/25BarkleyTruax
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Sam Navarro/Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Mario Cristobal worked under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2013-2016. It goes without saying, the two enjoyed some success together in Tuscaloosa.

Cristobal was pivotal in developing some of the best offensive line’s while he worked under Saban. That included a 2015 squad that won the Joe Moore Award for best O-Line in the country. This included stars like All-American and 2015 first-rounder Ryan Kelly, as well as 2014 freshman All-American Cam Robinson. Both are still active in the NFL today. He poked fun at his old boss’s expense during a recent interview with On3’s JD PicKell.

“(Saban) probably didn’t pay me enough for getting him all those players (at Alabama),” Cristobal told PicKell. “That’s his tagline now — they don’t make them like they used to. Now, I’m trying to get a hold of him early but he’s too busy doing TV. The guy’s a grinder, man. I call him like he’s an eternal competitor. He doesn’t stop, but a super valuable resource.

“I’m sure anybody that coached for him reaches out to him. He’s always available. Him and Miss Terry, they were awesome. They were awesome to myself to my wife and my family.”

Cristobal left Alabama after the 2016 season. He accepted the job as Oregon‘s co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. After one season there, he was promoted as the Ducks next head coach. He’d hold that position until taking the Miami job ahead of the 2022 season.

While Cristobal has gone on to have a successful head coaching career of his own, he still looks back on his time with the Crimson Tide fondly. Working directly under Nick Saban appears to have a lot to do with that.

“He was a great mentor,” Cristobal continued. “We talk about it all the time. We obviously talked a lot about the rat poison stuff this past week, but it’s always incredible opportunity granted myself and my family. I’m forever grateful to him and, but I do mess with him pretty hard.”

With Saban retired from coaching, Cristobal may never get to face off against his mentor in a football setting. Though, rumors of Saban looking to get back in the industry have swirled, his legacy on the football world stands strong without him within its ranks. His influence can be seen throughout the NFL in its players, and all throughout the college football coaching ranks. Cristobal is a perfect example of that.