Nick Saban started the first of three press conferences for Alabama football media day.

The Crimson Tide head coach met with reporters for his second press conference since fall camp opened last week. Afterward, Alabama’s new coordinators spoke to the media.

Here are the key takeaways:

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What we learned from Alabama football’s 2023 open fall practice

–A key to fall camp is building “good habits,” Saban said in his opening comment, “You have to sort of embrace the grind.”

–Saban likes UA’s acclimation process of ramping up into padded practice. Saban said he’s seen progress each day. Saban is also “pleased with the new leadership,” citing Kevin Steele and Tommy Rees.

–When asked about the speakers Saban will bring to UA this fall, Saban said it’s to address the issues that college sports are facing. He mentioned the lessons that can be learned from a player being suspended for gambling, for example.

–Saban said Chris Braswell is competing for a starting job this preseason.

–”Fall camp is not the beginning of the end,” Saban said he’s told UA’s potential starting quarterbacks. Saban reiterated that someone has to separate themselves.

–Safety DeVonta Smith has continued to develop and has grown past some of the mental errors that were an “Achilles heel” for him before.

–”Players are never going to play perfect,” Saban said. The process is emphasized to player to try to minimize the crucial errors.

“As soon as one of us makes a mistake, including me, that affects the team. I don’t know that that’s ever something, you use the word forgive, you try to learn from those mistakes,” Saban said.

–Saban mentioned special teams when trying to incorporate the four running backs that have made strides in the offseason. “There’s a competition. The best guys are gonna get the most opportunities.”

–Saban was asked about conference realignment and said he didn’t see the comments made by Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz. Saban did say that there’s an evolution of the sport currently and there has to be a definition of what’s good and bad for players. He said it’s “sad” that some traditions may change.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].