It’s no secret that Alabama head coach Nick Saban is demanding on his coaches and players.

Now-former defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who took over as head coach at Tennessee this offseason, was asked what is the toughest part of working for the Crimson Tide coach.

What he said over the airwaves might not be what some expect.

“I don’t think there is anything that’s tough about it,” Pruitt said during a Wednesday appearance on WJOX FM’s 3 Man Front. “The one thing about Coach Saban is everybody’s role in the building is defined. He has a standard that he wants everyone to excel to, and he sets the pace. He’s not one of these guys that’s going to ask you to do something that he’s not willing to do himself.

“I had an opportunity to work for him for eight years and learn so much about organization and football itself. I could sit here and talk for a week about the things that I learned from him, and I’m very thankful for the opportunity that he gave me.”

Having previously coached the secondary from 2010-12, Pruitt returned to Tuscaloosa, Ala., as defensive coordinator in 2016, replacing Kirby Smart, who had left to become head coach at Georgia. His 2016 defense led the nation in scoring defense and was ranked second in total defense. Last year, his 2017 Alabama defense finished the regular season ranked second in total defense and first in scoring defense on its way to a national championship win.

One member of that 2017 defense that will have a more demanding role in 2018 will be junior linebacker Mack Wilson. Pruitt was the primary recruiter for the former 5-star prospect out of Montgomery, Ala., and was asked about his former pupil on Wednesday.

*** Don't miss a VIP update again with our FREE 7-day trial of BamaOnLine. Sign up HERE ***

“I wasn’t there in the spring, obviously, but in the two years I coached Mack, he really has grown as a player from probably when he first got there he didn’t want to make any calls to when I left there he wanted to make all the calls,” Pruitt said of the now-junior linebacker.

“Last year, he fought through some injuries. He has unbelievable toughness. Great competitor. A very smart football player. Instinctive. So yeah, he’ll be fine.”

Although Wilson suffered a foot injury against LSU that kept him out of two games, he was still able to manage to play in 12 contests, making two starts. Last year, he led the team with four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and finished fifth in the SEC in picks. He also totaled 40 tackles during his sophomore season and added 2.5 tackles for loss.

Pruitt may not consider working for Saban to be tough, but he will have to face his former boss -- and player -- Oct. 20 when Alabama travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to face the Vols. Saban will enter the 2018 football season with a perfect 12-0 record against former assistants.

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).