Yesterday head coach Nick Saban, defensive coordinator Pete Golding, and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien all spoke to members of the media via Zoom. Let’s take a quick look at what each coach had to say.
Nick Saban
Obviously coach Saban had a lot to say, we are just going to touch on some of the high notes. Let’s get started!
- The team is excited about the challenge of another season. This team has a lot to prove with all the departures, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
- Saban gave a beautiful tribute to the passing of legendary coach Bobby Bowden. Coach Saban mentioned a story from his younger days as a graduate assistant at Kent State, “Coach (Bowden) didn’t know me from Adam’s house cat, but he knew my dad and got word that maybe my mom was struggling a bit back home in West Virginia. I pick up the phone one day and it’s Coach Bowden himself. He tells me he knew my dad and said that if I needed to be closer to home, he would make a place for me on his Mountaineer coaching staff.”
- On injuries, Saban mentioned senior LaBryan Ray suffered a groin injury towards the end of the summer that may keep him out a couple of weeks. Third-year running back Trey Sanders is nearing 100% and is no longer wearing a black non-contact jersey during practice. Sophomore Malachi Moore looks to be completely recovered after missing the spring with a back injury.
- When asked about junior TE Jahleel Billingsley, Saban mentioned that “(Billingsley) does have a lot of ability. He can be a positive contributor on the team, but he’s also got to buy into the principles and values of the team and be a good teammate and do the things that everyone else in the organization does so that he has the respect of his teammates. We’re certainly trying to help him do that, and hopefully, he’ll be back out there with us in a few days. We’ll see how that all develops.”
- Saban also mentioned that senior running back Brian Robinson Jr., deserves the opportunity to earn the role as “the guy” in the backfield for the Tide.
Pete Golding
Coach Golding was very excited when he spoke to the media. You can tell this guy has a competitive fire in him. Let’s take a look at few things he mentioned.
- Golding mentioned the defense needs to do a better job against the run and getting off the field on thrid down.
- He mentioned the leadership qualities of transfer linebacker Henry To’o To’o.
- Golding had high praise for freshman cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, mentioning his length, speed, and willingness to be physical against the run.
- The goal of the defense is to hold teams to thirteen points or less, and creating turnovers.
Bill O’Brien
Bill O’Brien is entering his first year as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, and he is excited to be back in the college game. Let’s take a look at some his thoughts on the 2021 Alabama football team.
- He mentioned that coach Saban sets the tone for the entire organization and everyone follows his lead.
- O’Brein said that sophomore quarterback Bryce Young is a really hard worker and a great teammate.
- On his play-calling style, O’Brien said that “It varies from year to year based on the type of offensive philosophy that you have, also the type of players you have. I think it depends on how the game’s going. I don’t think you can really label anybody like, ‘Hey this is what type of play-caller he is.’ It’s such a game-to-game process. From one game to the next, the defenses that you’re facing are different.”
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