It’s been an exciting yet uncertain few days at the Mal Moore building the last half week and you can understand why.
The exciting is easy to grasp. There’s a new coach who brings a more youthful, more accessible approach to the job. Kalen DeBoer hit the ground running since arriving in Tuscaloosa on Friday evening. He was escorted from the airport straight to a meeting with his new team. Saturday afternoon he held his introductory press conference. He met with prominent board of trustee members and important boosters at a reception. From there he was whisked to player meetings.
It happens that fast.
Of course the uncertain is roster management in a period during which there’s a 30-day window when the entire Crimson Tide roster is free to be poached. We’ve seen several players enter the portal and one prominent wide receiver leave already for Texas. Isaiah Bond will forever be remembered for 4th-and-31, but his departure opens doors for other players (currently on the roster and potential new players) to see advanced opportunities for playing time.
But as I’ve been quick to point out to those who are filled with anxiety, the process has to play out. Obviously no one wants any players to leave, but you can certainly understand that they committed to play for Coach Saban and their respective position coaches and that is all unwound now.
I do know the current coaching staff is working tirelessly meeting with players and doing their best to keep them in Tuscaloosa. Again, this period of open transfer season will have to play out. In other words, it’ll be a long month.
Here’s what we know barring any drastic changes in regards to the coaching staff. This is what’s currently believed as the time of this writing.
Director of Player Personnel/Chief of Staff/GM: Courtney Morgan
Director of Scouting: Jerrett McElwain
Offensive coordinator: Ryan Grubb
Running backs: Robert Gillespie
Offensive line: Scott Huff
Tight ends: Nick Sheridan
Wide receivers: JaMarcus Shephard
Defensive line: Freddie Roach
As with every coaching changeover, these decisions have to be made on an individual level. The beauty of having Saban for 17 years is the infrastructure that he created. DeBoer would be wise to keep that running like a well-oiled machine, but he also has to make the program his own. The blending of those two ideas is going to be fascinating to watch play out.
As for the defensive coordinator position, that is ongoing and we should know more in the coming days.
DeBoer has already made a quick impression.
“He’s a cool dude,” defensive back DeVonta Smith said. “He met with me for two hours and it wasn’t just about football. He wants to get to know us. Any of these cats that are thinking about leaving need to meet with him.”
There’s only two remaining unbeaten teams in conference play in the SEC and they both resided in the great state of Alabama. The Crimson Time improved to 11-5, 3-0 with a 82-74 over Mississippi State in a road win Saturday evening.
Mark Sears continued his outstanding season with 22 points, including eight straight in the second half as UA established a little breathing room from the Bulldogs. MSU made a late run by Alabama held on for a key road win.
UA hosts Missouri on Tuesday night before heading to Knoxville to play Tennessee on Saturday.
The women’s team is 15-4 overall and 2-2 in conference. They host LSU on Crimson Chaos night Thursday and travel to Auburn on Sunday.
Three ladies average double digit points a game with Sarah Ashlee Barker at 16.4 points per game, Aaliyah Nye at 13 and Jessica Timmons with 11.6. Essence Cody leads the team with 6.6 rebounds per game.
