SEC Title Game Features Two of Bill Belichick’s Biggest Fans

When Bill Belichick speaks, people listen.

Not just in the NFL, either. According to The New York Times, Saturday's SEC title game between Alabama and Florida features two of Belichick's most astute disciples – Crimson coach Nick Saban and Gator skipper Urban Meyer.

Meyer has become tight with the Patriots' coach since taking over the Florida program in 2005. He and Belichick trade tips and tales whenever the opportunity presents itself.

"What I admire about him more than most is that it’s always about getting better," Meyer told the Times. "Whether it’s an offensive play or team chemistry or special teams. Our conversations are about that."

Belichick even has lent a helping hand to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

"Anytime I can talk with him and get advice from him and ask him as many questions as I could, I do," Tebow said on the newspaper's Web site. "He’s just someone that I respect a lot. He was someone I really wanted to talk to, and Coach Meyer felt comfortable with me talking to him.”

Saban has known the three-time Super Bowl winner for quite some time. The Alabama coach served four years under Belichick as the Browns' defensive coordinator in the 1990s. What impresses Saban most about Belichick and his success is that he goes beyond the X's and O's — he creates a winning culture that everyone in the system buys into.

"I think that’s why he’s had so much success," Saban said. "Everyone understands what they’re supposed to do and why it’s important to do it. Philosophically, that’s the greatest thing I learned from him."