Bo Davis got some terrible advice while Saban was out of town and made a poor decision. Saban didn't want him gone, but understood. Ain't no telling how many coaches have "lied" to Saban about stuff, but that particular time, compliance was in the middle of it so it blew up. The fact Saban wanted him back at UA should tell you all there is to know. Yes, on Freeze and Pruitt, the SEC advised against bringing them in, but they didn't stop UA from doing it. UA advised auburn not to sure Pearl when he was under his show cause, but that didn't stop them. Now on Pruitt, later on, he himself made things more difficult with his decisions to file lawsuits, that is true too.
I'll also reiterate, I'm personally not sold that this Kelly/Woodard thing went down like some reported it (with demands). I'll leave it at that other than (again) to say those things do happen... admittedly, much less to a coach like Saban who swung the bat that he wielded. Which is why he's not a great example to bring up. But few very few coaches have the power that he had... and even still, he got overruled at times.