Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor is a football coach who understands that the fraternity is strongest when there’s communication, even when in close competition.
When asked about his pre-game conversation with Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze before Saturday’s game against the Tigers, Maynor further disclosed what was said and why those pre-game talks should happen more often.
“I congratulated him on getting the job and the hard work he did to get it,” Maynor said during Tuesday’s SWAC coaches’ conference. “I also congratulated him on his recruiting class and NIL deals; we talked about the portal and the landscape of the game. I told him good luck, he told me good luck, and I needed it that night.”
‼️ @AamufbR‘s Connell Maynor and @AuburnFootball‘s Hugh Freeze chatting during pregame warm ups. pic.twitter.com/KZqyZP7Ld6
— Alexa Harley (@AlexaHarleyTV) August 31, 2024
Maynor also added that SWAC coaches should reach out pre-game and talk more often.
“Every game, I look for the opposing head coach, and I think that should happen more often,” Maynor said. “Coaches should chop it up before a game. Nick Saban and Dabo [Swinney] chop it up for 5 or 10 minutes before a game and we get in our games, I never get to talk to the head coach.”
Maynor said he is willing to make the effort for more conversation and camaraderie among SWAC football coaches.
“I’m willing to do that, but we have some guys who won’t talk before the game. I don’t know what’s wrong with these guys,” he said. “It’s part of the game; just come over and shake my hand. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?”