Alabama football won its first game of the Kalen DeBoer era this past Saturday. Now the Crimson Tide will turn its attention to South Florida.

The Bulls will make the trip to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A season ago, the Crimson Tide and South Florida played a closer than expected game in which Alabama pushed through to win 17-3 in Tampa.

Nick Saban is expected to be in attendance as the Crimson Tide also officially honors him with the naming of Saban Field.

Ahead of the second game of the season, DeBoer, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack addressed reporters Monday.

Here’s a recap of what the coaches said.

Live updates: Kalen DeBoer, coordinators hold press conference before South Florida

Kalen DeBoer

• DeBoer on the specialists: “Burnip’s had a really good fall, all in all. It did not surprise me he was over 50 yards per kick.” DeBoer thought the snaps were good from Kneeland Hibbett. DeBoer also thought the kickers got valuable reps, too.
• DeBoer on preparing for South Florida: “We saw changes of tempo this past week. That’s something we’ll certainly be focused on. It’s hard to simulate that in practice” but there are ways the scout team can do it. Communicating substitutions, you have to be on your game, DeBoer said.
• DeBoer doesn’t think Alabama is relying on the long ball in the offense.
• DeBoer said Nick Saban called him Thursday to wish the team well and know he’s thinking about them.
• DeBoer on the C’s on the captain jerseys said he hasn’t heard any push back about it. He said it’s something he’s done where he’s been.
• DeBoer said he’s not really drawing on the USF game last season, but just reminding them it was a close game last year. DeBoer is calling on a program phrase that is “Respect all, fear none.”
• DeBoer on Wilkin Formby: “I saw some energy and excitement out of him. We had some big plays there.” DeBoer said he’s pleased with the steps Formby has taken. DeBoer thought Formby was decisive.
• DeBoer thought Milroe used the tablets on the sideline to his advantage. That’s something new this season that teams are allowed to do.
• DeBoer, having watched all of Jalen Milroe last season, liked the decisiveness the quarterback had at the end of 2023, and he wanted him to carry over. Thought Milroe did on Saturday.
• DeBoer praised the right side of the offensive line on the long touchdown from Justice Haynes vs. Western Kentucky.
• Kalen DeBoer: Kadyn Proctor has a shoulder situation. “It’s one we will be able to manage.” They will continue to evaluate him throughout the week. Proctor didn’t play in the season opener.
• Praised Keon Sabb’s takeaways and the sack early and how they gave momentum to the football team.
• “Some interesting moments” vs. Western Kentucky, but DeBoer thought guys kept their poise when they couldn’t use headsets, and having to have backup linemen in the game.
• DeBoer thought it was a good weekend.

Nick Sheridan, offensive coordinator

• Sheridan thought by and large communication went well in the first game, but there are some things he thinks they could improve on still.
• Sheridan asked if there’s a plan in place if he is stuck on elevator coming up and down from the box in the future if the headsets go down again during a drive. He said yes, but they’re not spending a whole lot of time on it, Sheridan said chuckling.
• Sheridan on what he saw from Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan vs. Western Kentucky: He thought they communicated well and he was proud of them. “By and large, made the right decisions.”
• Sheridan thought Jalen Milroe saw the game clearly against Western Kentucky. Sheridan thought he was calm, poised, competitive. “He will tell you there’s still room for growth.”
• Sheridan on the USF game last year (under the previous Alabama staff): “I think there are lessons learned for everybody on previous experiences. But that was early in the season. This is a new group of players. They have a new group of players of their own.”
• Sheridan said that was a first for him having to deal with the back and forth between the box with the headsets switching on and off against Western Kentucky. “It was really more so, was it going to get fixed?” deciding to stay put or come up and down between the box.
• Sheridan thought Elijah Pritchett did a nice job filling in for Kadyn Proctor. “It’s not the first time Pritch has played left tackle.” Thought Pritchett showed toughness having to jump in to play on short notice.
• Sheridan on Ryan Williams: “He’s been the same person since the day we met him. He loves football. Loves to work.” Thinks Williams is hungry to build off what he did in the first game.
• Sheridan knows South Florida coach Alex Golesh well. Sheridan praised the quality of the coaches in the program.

Kane Wommack, defensive coordinator:

• Wommack on DaShawn Jones: “Was battling this week with a little bit of a ding. We wanted to be cautious with him.” Jones is expected to make a full recovery this week. The ESPN broadcast mentioned Jones was dealing with a hamstring injury. Wommack said that limited Jones’ practices reps.
• Wommack on James Smith: “I think James has taken some great leaps in his consistency.” Wommack thought there was too much inconsistency in Smith’s game in the spring.
• Wommack praised cornerbacks coach Mo Linguist on how he got the freshmen cornerbacks transitioned quickly from high school football to the college game. Wommack said Zabien Brown was the most consistent of that group. “The challenge to those younger players is they cannot stay they same.” They have to continue to elevate their game, Wommack said.
• Wommack on Qua Russaw: “I think Qua is a very well rounded individual. He’s gifted from a physical standpoint.” Mentioned Russaw’s versatility, too.
• Wommack on substitutions vs. Western Kentucky: “There was different levels of substitutions as the game went on.” Said it’s important as a staff to get younger players in games early.
• Wommack on South Florida: “We’ve got our work cut out for us”
• Wommack thinks South Florida is very detailed
• Wommack thinks South Florida is a team that’s “very well coached”
• “It’s critical our players manage their time well.”
• Wommack didn’t think Alabama defense took advantage of turnovers like it should have, like scoring.
• Wommack was proud of Alabama’s defense in the red zone and the fight the defenders showed there, particularly on the drive that lasted 22 plays.
• Wommack liked how Alabama affected the quarterback vs. Western Kentucky.
• Wommack thought his guys played hard Saturday vs. Western Kentucky. “I thought our guys brought energy and focus.”
• Wommack said Alabama needs to get some missed tackles cleaned up, particularly in vision coverage.
• Wommack thought Alabama handled Western Kentucky’s tempo well early.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.