Nick Saban may no longer be seen roaming the halls of the Mal Moore Athletic Facility or participating in coaching staff meetings, and his iconic straw hat is no longer seen on the sidelines. Yet, his influence on the new coaching staff in Tuscaloosa remains significant.
After Alabama’s fifth practice of fall camp on Tuesday morning, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack reflected on his transition from South Alabama to Tuscaloosa. He highlighted a surprising and valuable aspect of his new role: his relationship with Coach Saban.
Wommack noted, “One thing I didn’t expect was how generous Coach Saban has been and how supportive he has been toward me. Having access to his experience has really eased my learning curve. It’s something I didn’t anticipate, but I’m very grateful for how open Coach Saban has been.”
Wommack also shared that he and Saban maintain regular contact. “We’ve met several times in person and spoken on the phone numerous times,” he said. “Whenever I call, he answers, which I really appreciate.”
Although Saban has stated he has not returned to the Alabama facility since his retirement, he still has an office in Bryant-Denny Stadium for use between his ESPN appearances. Wommack’s comments, along with those from head coach Kalen DeBoer, suggest that Saban continues to make time for those within the program who need his guidance.
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