I know Cochran pushed back on the changes Saban wanted. It can't be categorized as CSC saying, "no." It certainly can be described as two people who had different ideas and approaches on how the S&C department should operate.
This "defense" of CSC reminds me, a bit, at those who were staunch in defending Kirby refusing to believe, or accept, the crap he'd been up to before leaving (and since.) Both had grown bigger than the program in their mind(s.)