Just a season ago, Nick Saban and Jim McElwain coached against each other for the first time. Now, there’s a chance those head-to-head matchups could happen a little more frequently.

McElwain, the former Alabama offensive coordinator and current third-year head coach at Colorado State, is reportedly a top target to become the next head coach at Florida, which the school has confirmed via Twitter.

Saban said he still talks to his former assistant and believes he will succeed elsewhere if he leaves, though he hasn’t spoken to him recently.

“I talk to Mac on occasion,” Saban said during his Wednesday press conference. “He's had a great year. He's done a great job and we wish him the best in whatever happens for him. We certainly hope these things work out and it's great for his family and I'm sure he'll do a great job if he ends up taking a different job. He's certainly done a fantastic job at Colorado State.”

McElwain, who as Alabama’s offensive coordinator from 2008-2011 helped the school win two national championships, has led Colorado State to a 10-2 record this season, its best in over a decade. The Rams’ offense ranks 13th in the nation in total offense and includes Alabama transfer running back Dee Hart.

Last season, the McElwain-led Rams lost 31-6 against Saban’s Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

“I don't care what situation you're in – when you have relationships someplace and a team and players you recruited, it's not easy to just pick up and leave,” said Saban, who never specifically mentioned the Florida job. “I've done that way too many times. It's just really, really hard.

“I never want to do it again, to be honest with you. I'm sure that even though this is an outstanding opportunity for him, I'm sure it's very difficult as well to leave a team that won 10 games and played their heart out for you and all that kind of stuff.”

According to the Coloradoan, a deal has yet to be finalized for McElwain due to a holdup with his $7.5 million buyout, which Florida is attempting to reduce to $3 million. Concurrently, a report from the Orlando Sentinel says Colorado State “has not budged an inch” on a buyout.

If McElwain is hired, he will replace another former Saban assistant, Will Muschamp, who spent four seasons as the Gators’ head coach. Muschamp served as Saban’s defensive coordinator for four seasons at LSU and one season as his assistant head coach/defense with the Miami Dolphins from 2001-05.

UPDATE: Jim McElwain has been hired as the next head coach at Florida.

More From Tide 100.9