Nick Saban made a game-changing hire in 2020, when he parted ways from Scott Cochran and hired David Ballou to be Alabama's new strength coach.

Ballou, the Director of Sports Performance, helped the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020 and has three Southeastern Conference Championship rings. His technique and wisdom in the weight room propelled Alabama to an SEC Championship this season as the Tide dominated Georgia up front. Alabama is back in the CFP and while Nick Saban's staff is out recruiting, Ballou is at the facility getting everyone's mind right for the Rose Bowl versus Michigan.

On Friday, Coach Saban praised Ballou's impact on the Pat McAfee Show.

"These two weeks has gotten some players back to where they need to be so it's been good..

Our strength guy here David Ballou does a fantastic job and players relate to him"

Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/1hegt8cPrO

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 15, 2023

"Everything is good," Saban said about the weight room report on Alabama's players.

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"There is so much technology now to monitor a guy's explosive movement and speed. We have catapult on everybody. We know if a guy is losing speed, we know if a guy's explosive power and strength are staying where it needs to be. So, we have a baseline on every player and these two weeks has gotten some players back to where they need to be so it has been good. They (players) have had a great attitude, worked hard, and our strength guy here David Ballou does a fantastic job and players relate to him. I think that's important when they have to work out on their own."

Ballou and his staff have the mindset where they want it. Michigan wants to pound the ball and control the game against Alabama, but Ballou has this group with an attitude to be more physical.

New Year's Day cannot get here fast enough for the Rose Bowl.

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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.