Nick Saban Defends Both Coordinators During SEC Teleconference

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team has faced many questions as the 2023 season's gotten underway. The Tide has fallen from preseason No. 4 in the AP Top 25 Poll to No. 13 after a 2-1 start and is coming off one of the worst offensive performances in the Nick Saban era, defeating the USF Bulls 17-3 on Saturday.

Saban during the weekly SEC Teleconference was asked how first year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is handling the adversity his unit is currently working through.

"Well we're all working hard. It's everybody's responsibility to try to get it right and find a better way. We're all working together offensively and defensively, special teams and every part of our team to try to do that and I think we're making progress. I think the most important thing is we trust and believe in our players and we've got to be positive in our approach to how we try to help them have more success on the field," said Saban.

The offense isn't the only side of the football under the microscope. The Alabama defense played a great game on Saturday, only allowing three points while snagging two turnovers along with five sacks and 10 tackles for loss, but Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin suggested on Sunday that the Tide had to make a change in order to see improvements.

Kiffin's suggestion that Travaris Robinson is coordinating the defense was rebuffed by Saban on Monday and the adjustments were explained as an administrative move to speed up the play-calling process against fast paced defenses.

The Crimson Tide head coach defended Kevin Steele's decision to operate from the press box the season as the results, save for the fourth quarter in the Texas game, have largely been positive.

"Well, I've answered this question several times before, but I leave it up to the coordinators to decide where they think they can do the best job. Kevin thought he'd be able to do better in the press box and that's worked out well for us so far," said Saban.

The Crimson Tide is set to take on the Ole Miss Rebels in the SEC opener this weekend in Tuscaloosa as the college football world waits to see how this Alabama football program progresses.

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