ARLINGTON, Texas u2015 Alabama fans were nervous.
They'd just lost their defensive coordinator to Georgia, but that wasn't the source. Reports indicated strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran was considering joining Kirby Smart in Athens. The cult hero u2015 easily the most recognizable man with his title u2015 created some anxious moments around the state.
A week after Smart's introduction, however, Alabama announced Cochran would return. His $420,000 annual salary will be going up. On Tuesday, Cochran reflected on the decision to remain in Tuscaloosa instead of following his close friend to Georgia.
"Man, that whole decision was humbling, exciting," Cochran said.