It’s not yet the start of spring, but the beginning of Alabama spring practice is here.
For the first time under new coach Kalen DeBoer, the Tide will take the practice field Monday for the first of 14 sessions before its annual A-Day game April 13.
The earlier-than-usual March 4 start date will allow Alabama to practice three times this week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — before taking off spring break next week. A pair of closed scrimmages are expected to be held March 28 and April 6.
Much will look different about Alabama this spring. DeBoer’s coaching staff features only two holdovers from the Nick Saban era, and there has been significant turnover among the off-the-field staff, too. The roster has been reshaped by a dozen NFL draft and almost 30 transfer portal departures, with eight transfer portal additions joining 18 early-enrolled freshmen.
DeBoer will also take a different approach with the media, too. At least three practices will be open for viewing, beginning Wednesday, after Saban’s practices were almost entirely closed to reporters since 2019. DeBoer is also making his coordinators and assistant coaches available for interviews throughout the spring. Under Saban, coordinators held news conferences once in August and assistants did not speak to reporters except when required by bowl games.
DeBoer is putting his own mark on the program in subtle ways, which will include shifting practices this fall from the afternoon (under Saban) to mornings before players head to classes.
Bama247 will provide extensive coverage from spring practice, with new senior writer Alex Scarborough having joined our staff last week that includes Mike Rodak, Cody Goodwin, Kirk McNair and recruiting reporter Brett Greenberg.
