Nick Saban isn't just rolling over and letting his strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran go to Georgia to eventually join Kirby Smart's staff. He's fighting to keep him.

Saban is attempting to convince Cochran to stay with the promise of a significant raise, The Tuscaloosa News has learned.

Cochran received a $25,000 raise in June to bring his total salary to $420,000.

Once Smart is officially announced as the new Georgia head coach, which is expected to come as soon as Sunday, he is expected to target Cochran to be his strength coach. The Smarts and Cochrans have become close family friends during their time in Tuscaloosa.

Something else to consider is that Georgia's current strength and conditioning coach Mark Hocke worked closed with Cochran at Alabama for six years.

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.