Alabama

Saban’s coordinators focus on ‘Alabama standard’

Published

1 year ago

August 7, 2023

Saban’s coordinators focus on ‘Alabama standard’

Kevin Steele has been coaching football for nearly a decade longer than Tommy Rees has been alive.

Now Steele is embarking on his second stint as Alabama’s defensive coordinator, and the 31-year-old Rees is approaching his first season as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator. They’re at very different stages of their careers, but with the same mission: Help coach Nick Saban and Alabama get back to national championship form.

Both made it clear Sunday they’re putting their imprint on Saban’s system, not the other way around. Steele, who was defensive coordinator on Saban’s first Tide team 17 years ago, wasn’t biting on a question about returning the defense to “the Alabama standard.”

“That’s kind of a loaded question in some regards,” said the 65-year-old Steele, who is beginning his 40th year of coaching. “This process is built — and it started in ’07, I was here. It hasn’t gone anywhere, it really hasn’t. Obviously, offensive football has changed. It’s harder on defense right now at this present time than maybe it’s been in a long, long time. But the process is the process.”

Steele replaced Pete Golding, who took over the defense at Mississippi.

Steele and Rees spoke to reporters Sunday for the first time since both were hired in February. It’s likely the only time until perhaps leading up to a bowl game or their preferred destination, the College Football Playoff. They’re each set to make $1.9 million this year.

Alabama lost two games last season, falling short of the annual title goal and failing to even make the Southeastern Conference championship game. Now Rees is charged with replacing No. 1 NFL draft pick Bryce Young at quarterback, and Steele must find a pass-rusher to fill the void left by the No. 3 pick, linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

Neither Saban nor Rees are tipping their hand if a quarterback has the upper hand a few practices into fall camp. But the Tide coach noted that history proves a quarterback competition doesn’t necessarily end with a decision on the opening-game starter.

“I’ve told our quarterbacks, fall camp is not the beginning of the end,” he said. “You’ve got an opportunity to separate yourself, to show that you can play with consistency and play winning football at the position.

“But that competition goes on and on and on, and we need all of the quarterbacks to continue to improve and to continue to compete even far beyond the time that we name a starter. We’ve had circumstances around here where quarterbacks have changed over the course of the year.”

The offensive line will be an area of focus, as well, regardless of who is under center. The Crimson Tide ranked 123rd in blown run block rate, 110th in offensive line penalties per game, 78th in pressure rate allowed and 60th in stuff rate allowed last season.

Rees is clearly familiar with one of the quarterback candidates. Tyler Buchner won the starting job for him at Notre Dame last season before getting sidelined by an injury. Buchner joined the Tide after spring practice, when neither Jalen Milroe nor Ty Simpson came close to locking down the job.

“He provides a little bit of veteran presence in the room and adds competition,” Rees said. “I think he’s hit the ground running with the rest of the guys on the team, especially with the rest of the quarterbacks, and it’s been really a healthy transition.”

On the flip side, he notes that Milroe and Simpson both stuck around to compete instead of transferring after Buchner’s addition.

“I think they’ve both improved greatly from the spring,” Rees said. “I think there’s been more buy-in since spring ball ended and just doing more, doing extra to get themselves prepared.”

Age gap aside, Steele has some insight into his young offensive counterpart. He has long known Rees’s coaching father, Bill.

“Tommy was unique for me because I knew his dad before Tommy was born,” Steele said. “He is a extremely, extremely bright football coach. I kid him about this — Notre Dame quarterback, Chicago, he’s very tough. He’s got a defensive mentality.

“I don’t know if he’d appreciate me saying that about him, but he’s a very tough football coach — very, very smart. But he’s the same every day. That’s the best part about Tommy — he’s the same every day. He’s got ice water in his veins.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Alabama

No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Florida men’s hoops downed by SEC foes, putting conference depth on display

Published

6 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Florida men’s hoops downed by SEC foes, putting conference depth on display

And the award for deepest men’s basketball conference goes to: the SEC.

How else to explain two top five teams — No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Florida — both losing Tuesday night at home to conference foes?

At least in the case of Alabama, the Tide lost to a ranked team, falling 74-64 to No. 21 Ole Miss. Meanwhile, the Gators shot an abysmal 21 of 31 from the free throw line in an 83-82 loss to unranked Missouri, which was not nearly as close as the final score indicates.

The best argument for the SEC’s depth isn’t just that Missouri won but that the Tigers led for almost 38 minutes on the road — at one point by as many as 19 points.

Turnovers played a crucial role in both Alabama and Florida faltering Tuesday night. The Tide threw it away a whopping 21 times, which Ole Miss turned into 19 points (the Rebels tallied only seven turnovers). Florida coughed it up 13 times to Missouri’s eight, allowing the Tigers to score 18 points.

Giving the ball to the other team usually doesn’t end well. What’s more surprising, though, is that this happened to both Alabama and Florida at home. Playing well on the road is tough. Playing well in front of a friendly, packed crowd shouldn’t be.

Certainly no one could have predicted that midway through January, the two undefeated teams in SEC play would be No. 1 Auburn (16-1, 4-0) and Ole Miss (15-2, 4-0). Given how tough this conference is, it’s unlikely anyone finishes with less than three losses — especially if Auburn star and national player of the year candidate Johni Broome is out for more than a week.

The SEC’s motto is “it just means more.” With the way this conference is beating itself up on as we inch closer to March, that line might need to change to “it just is more” — as in, more representation in the NCAA Tournament than anyone else. Because with the SEC’s depth, they’re likely to send a lot of teams dancing.

Required reading

(Photo: James Gilbert / Getty Images)

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Alabama

2025 Alabama Hi-Q academic competition kicks off

Published

15 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

2025 Alabama Hi-Q academic competition kicks off

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – The first match of the 2025 Alabama Hi-Q season kicked off today.

The academic quiz competition for high school students with categories such as mathematics, history, physics and fine art and more.

Mobile County public and private schools compete in teams of eight to 10 students. At the end of the 15 contests, the top three teams win cash awards for their schools. Individual awards are given out, as well.

FOX10’s Lenise Ligon was invited to be the quizmaster, maintaining the tradition of fox10’s involvement. Bob Grip was quizmaster for 38 years.

Students from Mary G. Montgomery High School, Blount High School, Theodore High School, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Satsuma High School and Barton Academy For Advanced World Studies competed in today’s event.

Blount got the win for the first match. There’s a challenge though and the win could go to MGM

St. Paul’s won the second match.

The competition ends in March when the overall winner is declared.

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Alabama

Ole Miss vs. Alabama Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Tuesday, Jan. 14

Published

23 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Ole Miss vs. Alabama Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Tuesday, Jan. 14

Alabama extended its winning streak to eight games on Saturday by beating Texas A&M on the road but will face another tough out on Tuesday when Ole Miss comes to Tuscaloosa.

The Rebels have been much improved in 2024 as Chris Beard continues to turn this program around and will look to score a signature win to propel the team to the NCAA Tournament by winning on the road as a big underdog. Ole Miss has been capable on both sides of the floor, will it be able to keep close to the Crimson Tide?

Here’s our betting preview.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 153.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Ole Miss

Sean Pedulla: The Virginia Tech transfer has provided some necessary floor spacing for the Rebels, shooting 40% from deep as the team has been able to take a big jump offensively. While his defense leaves some to be desired, he has proven he can hang on the floor with his sound playmaking, ball handling, and shooting.

Alabama

Mark Sears: Sears hasn’t been able to replicate his scorching 2023, but he remains a high-value player on an elite offense for the Crimson Tide. Sears is averaging 19 points with more than four assists per game but is off of one of his best games of the season in which he closed out Texas A&M on the road with 27 points.

Ole Miss will face its first top-20 team in terms of KenPom’s adjusted efficiency rating, so there could be a bit of a setback for what has been an impressive season to date for the Rebels. However, I believe the offense can put points on the board against Alabama’s defense that plays drop coverage, and turns opponents over at a bottom 60 rate in the country.

The Rebels are a capable offense that has a bevy of players that can create off the dribble and attack Alabama in the paint, so I believe the visitors will be able to score at a healthy rate in this game.

On the other end, Alabama may be able to tee off from the perimeter against Ole Miss’ no-middle defense that lends itself to players open from beyond the arc. Further, if Sears can win in isolation sets, the rim should be easy pickings for the Crimson Tide to score at will.

In an up-tempo affair, I think both offenses rule the day and this game goes over the total.

PICK: OVER 153.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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