7X national champion Nick Saban warns Kalen DeBoer about Greg McElroy's intentions: "He thinks he should be calling the play"

It has been a whirlwind few months for new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer after taking on the challenge of the man to follow the legendary Nick Saban, who retired in January. The former Washington Huskies coach hit the ground running on the recruitment trail while also trying to pacify prospects who were heading out after Saban's retirement.

The retired seven-time national champion connected with his successor in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer, during day three of the SEC media days. In his role as an SEC Network analyst, Saban warned him about how one analyst would judge him and approach his work next season, pinpointing former Alabama quarterback and ESPN analyst Greg McElroy.

"Let me share something with you. I’m never gonna criticize ya. Roman (Harper), defensive back, is never gonna criticize ya. McElroy on the other hand- he thinks he should be calling the plays. He’s gonna be a problem,” Saban said.

Kalen DeBoer responds to Nick Saban's prediction

During day one of the SEC media days, analyst Nick Saban surprised the college football world with his prediction about which two teams he predicted would make it to the SEC championship game.

"I got Georgia and Texas (in the SEC Championship)," Saban said. "If Texas can replace some of the interior defensive linemen they lost and their defense comes through.

"They're really good offensively. Quinn Ewers has missed time the last couple of years, but Arch Manning was lights out in the spring game. That depth at quarterback is really important for them. I really like Texas."

During an appearance on "The Next Round, Kalen DeBoer was asked about Saban's comments about the SEC championship game.

"We're just going to focus on what we can control and right now the predictions really don’t matter. It's what happens at the end of the season that really matters," DeBoer said.

Saban later clarified that he believed that while his former side is talented, they still have unresolved issues at secondary, which is why he omitted them.

Whether or not Nick Saban believes that his former team can scale the heights that they were used to during his reign will be fuel enough for the Crimson Tide to try to prove him wrong once the season starts.