The Tide coaching staff didn’t just suffer losses from the transfer portal, a handful of immediate starters for the program transferred in, as well as some young, talented players who could contribute in the next few seasons. Following the news that legendary head coach Nick Saban would be retiring as the leader of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, several players decided it was time to move on from Tuscaloosa—one of the notable being offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. Alabama Crimson Tide football is under new leadership, as Kalen DeBoer takes over as the program’s head coach following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. One of the biggest concerns regarding DeBoer was his recruiting abilities. Those have since been alleviated to a certain degree after the impressive offseason he’s had on the recruiting trail and the transfer portal.
It’s the one guy that’s touched more people, at least in my generation, in college football. Even though I’ve never worked with him, never coached against him, Coach Saban’s influence and impact has touched all of college football. Coaching turnover is a part of college sports, in general, but it is difficult to forecast whether one college football coach's departure will spark this level of change. By comparison, Michigan began its classes Jan. 10, more than two weeks before the Los Angeles Chargers hired Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh in the same role Jan. 25, and Michigan promoted Sherrone Moore to replace Harbaugh a day later.
Alabama outhit Tennessee on the game with six Crimson Tide hits compared to Tennessee's three, but the Tide left seven runners on base. Broadfoot finished the game 0-3 with runners in scoring position and is now batting .172 on the season. Alabama softball was in prime position to steal the first game of the Knoxville Super Regional, but couldn't finish the job on the road.
UB football coach Pete Lembo discusses leaving South Carolina and his connection with Lance Leipold. The agreement between the schools and EA Sports is for the next four iterations of the game, per Liberman, and "schools will receive additional payments based on the success of the game" and will receive a "10 percent royalty on sales." Iowa, Oklahoma State and Utah may not be considered powerhouses in the sport, but they have consistently been ranked in the Top 25 enough to land in Tier 1. Tennessee's Payton Gottshall entered the game in the circle for Karlyn Pickens in the sixth inning, not allowing another Alabama run to score.
That changed in the bottom of the fifth inning when Tennessee got on the board behind three unearned runs. Rylie West got the Tennessee rally started, drawing a lead-off walk then stealing second. Gabby Leach reached first base on a Kali Heivilin error, which allowed West to score. Laura Meeler then hit a two-run home run to center field to give the Lady Vols the 3-2 lead.
In Week 2, Alabama will host the University of South Florida Bulls for the final matchup of the two programs’ home-and-home series. In 2023, Alabama survived an ugly game that featured a benched Jalen Milroe, a torrential downpour that caused a weather delay and a surprisingly tough USF team that showed up to play. This offseason, the Bulls revamped its roster and got significantly better. USF knows it can defy the odds and take down Alabama and the team may have some added desire to know that they would be upsetting the Tide in Bryant-Denny Stadium. If you are a fan of Alabama football and feel 100% confident about this game, I would do a little bit more research on this season’s upcoming USF team. There is still a question of whether athletes should be deemed employees of their schools, something Baker and other college sports leaders are fighting against.
That suggestion, along with many other possibilities, remain under discussion. The upcoming 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide football season is full of unknowns. A new head coach, a new-look SEC and a new College Football Playoff format. How will all of this affect the team as they look to carry on the winning tradition it had for nearly two decades under the new-retired head coach Nick Saban?
Whether it be a home contest against an American Athletic Conference team, or a road trip up north, the Crimson Tide will play some quality teams that are going to put up a fight. Alabama then added South Florida transfer Chris Youngblood, a native of Tuscaloosa, who committed during A-Day. He was the co-AAC Player of the Year for the Bulls last season, and has shot 40 percent from three for three consecutive seasons. Schools in the Big Ten, Big 12, Livescore nowgoal ACC and SEC are likely to end up bearing the brunt of the settlement going forward at an estimated cost of about $300 million each over 10 years, the majority of which would be paid to directly to athletes. The addition continues a busy offseason for Jeff Traylor and the Roadrunners, who have added several transfers during the offseason. "I've known David Blackburn for a number of years dating back to our days scouting the West Coast," Peters said in a statement.