Alabama and Auburn Players Get Arrested This Weekend

It was not a good weekend for Auburn head coach Gus Malzahan and Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

Malzahan woke up to the news Saturday that his best defensive player, Demetruce McNeal, was arrested on a marijuana possession charge.

Malzahan didn't waste anytime and took immediate action Saturday evening.

"After visiting with Demetruce, I made the decision to dismiss him from our team," Malzahn said in a statement. "We have high expectations both on and off the field for our players."

A huge change from the Gene Chizik era.

Then Nick Saban found out Sunday morning that defensive back Geno Smith was arrested Sunday morning on a DUI charge. 

"This is obviously not the kind of behavior we expect from our players," coach Nick Saban commented in a released statement. "I don't have all of the details at this point and will handle it appropriately once I've had a chance to review the information."

Smith was competing for a starting cornerback position. I'm sure this incident will not help his standing with the coach.

Both coaches are seemingly taking a zero tolerance approach to both situations, and considering what other coaches in the SEC have done in these types of situations -- I'm looking at you, Les Miles and Kevin Sumlin! -- that's refreshing.

Being punished for being arrested? What a concept.