Even after having all the young recruiters on staff last season and bringing in the top-ranked signing class for 2019, Nick Saban still felt like something was missing.
He had the players, a dynamic style of offense and high prized recruiters; however, Alabama failed at execution in the College Football Playoff National Championship versus Clemson.
Sometimes one has to revert back to what made it great and for Saban, he thoroughly knows Crimson Tide football sells itself. What the team lacked in 2018 was sound coaching.
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It was teachers such as Kirby Smart, Jeremy Pruitt, Jeff Stoutland, Bo Davis and Sal Sunseri that not only prepared student-athletes physically, but each one also did a strong job mentally in keeping everyone in order.
Order is part of the process and it was not shown a season ago.
Since revamping the coaching staff again, the team is in a much better place and Saban said he’s proud of the way this group has come together.
“We have new leadership on both sides of the ball,” Saban said.
“Those guys have done a really, really good job of developing relationships with the players. They are very knowledgeable. They are well organized. They do a good job of leadership, and the coaching staff has fell into place very nicely as well. I’m very excited about the staff we have.”
Steve Sarkisian (offensive coordinator) and Pete Golding (defensive coordinator) both took the podium for interviews, following Saban’s portion.
The energy, enthusiasm, hunger and experience of this staff has made a profound impact on the players, especially in the summer.
This year’s Alabama team did not have to deal with anyone being arrests and instead of posting random videos on Twitter, the players that have taken to social media displayed nothing but their commitment to hard work in preparing for the season.
“We had a really good offseason program,” Saban said.
“We’ve had a really good summer. This is one of the best conditioned teams that we’ve had coming out of summer camp. We were excited to get started yesterday with our first practice.”
Discipline and accountability are the two aspects Saban wants done.
Everybody has bought into the mantra thus far and hopefully; things will hold serve throughout the football campaign.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
