Changes coming to Alabama football spring practice under Kalen DeBoer
Alabama football is set to start spring practice next week,, the first under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide will begin spring ball on Monday, and will have 15 practices, as mandated by the NCAA.
The Crimson Tide will have three practices before UA’s spring break, which runs from March 8-17. Alabama will return to the practice field for its final 12 practices after the break concludes.
Spring practice will wrap up on April 13, when UA plays its annual A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. DeBoer, who took over for Saban when the man who won six national championships with the Crimson Tide retired in January, has not said whether the format of the game will be similar to past years.
A-Day is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. CT that day.
One change made under DeBoer is increased access for media. Assistant coaches will be made available for interviews and limited practice viewing will be allowed.
Saban had instituted a one-voice policy at Alabama, almost completely shutting down access to assistants with the exception of rare interviews with coordinator and bowl access, which the Tide didn’t control. Late in his UA tenure, he also completely discontinued practice access for reporters.
UA also scheduled its pro day, which will take place March 20. The event will feature draft-eligible players from Saban’s final team.