Nick Saban is retired from coaching Alabama football, but one of his first national champions still wants the program to win.

Mike McCoy, a University of Alabama alumnus, was a leader at wide receiver for Saban's first BCS National Championship for the Crimson Tide in 2009. He is the founder of Maximum Performance Institute in Birmingham (Ala.) and is training two current Tide players to have a breakout year in the fall. McCoy has Kobe Prentice and Jeremiah Alexander in the lab with him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mike McCoy (@mikemccoy80_)

Both are Alabama natives that understand the importance of this season. The Tide has not won a national championship in three years, so it is time to have it back right under Kalen DeBoer. Prentice, a junior, is a leader in the receiver room. He has the most production in the room, regardless of Alabama getting Germie Bernard from Washington via the NCAA transfer portal.

RELATED: 3 Alabama legends, including Nick Saban, on College Football Hall of Fame ballot for 2025

Prentice has 49 catches for 651 yards and four touchdowns across two seasons.

Alexander, a linebacker, came to the Tide as a five-star in the 2022 signing class.

He has the potential to have an incredible season at inside 'backer should everything fall into place.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.