Nick Saban explains how Alabama adjusted with all-new coordinators

Nick Saban brought in two new coordinators for the 2023 season and so far, the Alabama football program adjusted well, despite challenges.

Tommy Rees came over from Notre Dame as the new offensive coordinator while Kevin Steele, a veteran of college football and Alabama, is the new DC. Through the spring and summer, it’s been positive, according to Saban.

He opened up about the additions and adjustments at SEC Media Days.

“I think the most important thing is probably relationships,” Saban said of new coordinators on staff. “When you’re a coordinator, you’re in a leadership position for the players on that side of the ball. So to have good relationships in terms of how you present, how you motivate, and the player’s trust and respect and the things that you’re trying to implement the things that we do, that they trust and believe that that’s going to help them be successful. So that’s number one.”

Saban maintained that the changes to both sides of the ball had to be minimal. He didn’t want any drastic changes with Rees and Steele taking over.

“Number two, we tried to mitigate the changes that a new coordinator would create for players by trying to keep the same system and that’s a little challenging sometimes when you have new coaches because they have to learn a certain amount to be able to implement the system,” Saban said. “So it doesn’t change completely for the players. But I’m really pleased with the two new coordinators that we have.” 

Steele was originally at Alabama from 2007-08, when Saban first arrived at the school. At this point, it made sense for Saban to bring in some familiarity with his coordinators. The same goes for Rees who’s an up and comer.

“Kevin Steele obviously has been with us before so he kind of understands the program and the expectation,” Saban said. “And you know, Tommy Rees is one of the brightest young guys I’ve seen for a long time in this business. So he’s been a great addition and brought a lot of positives to the offensive side of the ball in terms of his ideas, and how he relates to players, how he presents the players. His energy and enthusiasm on the field has been contagious. 

“I think I see a great trust in our players with Tommy and what he tries to do from a leadership standpoint on offense.”