Video: Nick Saban Trolled by Miami's Mario Cristobal for Leaving Dolphins for Alabama

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban had some nice things to say about Miami head coach Mario Cristobal during his appearance on ESPN's College GameDay, but Cristobal couldn't help but tell a small joke to troll the 72-year-old.

While Saban was praising Cristobal for speaking Spanish to connect with recruits in Miami when he worked as an assistant at Alabama (9:15 mark), Cristobal quipped, "I was protecting him from Dolphins fans."

Before joining Alabama in 2007 and going on to become one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, Saban spent two years in the NFL coaching the Miami Dolphins. After finishing second in the AFC East with a 9-7 record in 2005, the team finished last in the division with a 6-10 record the following year before he left to join the Crimson Tide.

Saban's departure from Miami was somewhat controversial because he repeatedly denied the notion that he would be Alabama's head coach before ultimately accepting the position.

"I guess I have to say it. I'm not going to be the Alabama coach," Saban said on Dec. 21, 2006. He was named Crimson Tide head coach on Jan. 3, 2007.

Saban recently told ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit that he would've considered staying with the Dolphins had the team chosen to sign Drew Brees prior to the 2006 season. Brees was recovering from a career-threatening shoulder injury, so Miami opted to trade for veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who was still recovering from a knee injury that derailed his career.

"I think if we would've signed Drew Brees, I probably would've been happy at Miami," Saban said.

Cristobal can help improve Saban's stature in Miami, as he's led the Hurricanes to a 5-0 start and a No. 8 ranking entering Saturday's matchup against Cal.