A much different Nick Saban is coaching drills in his 16th season through fall camp at Alabama.
He was more hardcore, in the beginning, building a culture with Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Mark Barron, AJ McCarron, C.J. Mosley, and others. The arrival of Tua Tagovailoa in the 2017 class made him more mellow, but now Saban is enjoying relating more to the players. He wants to win the eighth national championship (seventh at Alabama) of his coaching career, but Saban also wants to show his fun side. The 70-year-old has been much lighter in preseason camp. He is smiling more, wearing shades, and engaging with players. Jordan Battle, a senior safety, told reporters on Friday that Saban being loose has been pleasant.
*Jordan Battle talks about Saban laughing more at the 0:32 mark
“He’s been laughing a lot in the meetings we have,” Battle said about Saban. “When people come in and talk to us, he has been laughing. He has been more interactive, so I have been liking his energy lately.”
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He has not heard any new Saban jokes, but seeing his coach let his hair down more around the players is great for Battle.
Alabama is preparing for its first scrimmage on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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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.
