This is an opinion column.

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Readers of the weekly mailbag never disappoint and always bring it strong. Alabama football begins spring practice on Monday and people have questions. For some, it’s time to start thinking big-picture about life after Nick Saban.

New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer left Washington for the Crimson Tide back in January. He’s got a strong reputation for being an excellent coach. The Huskies went 14-1 in 2023, losing only to Michigan in the national championship game. There isn’t a hotter coach in the country. It’s a new era for the Crimson Tide, and while DeBoer is apparently leaning on Saban for advice, Alabama’s new coach is smart to do things his own way from the start.

What does that mean for spring practice? We’re about to find out. Here’s what we know already. Saban’s one-voice policy with the media is out. Players, assistant coaches and staffers are free to speak with reporters with Alabama’s new coach in charge. That’s obviously good news for the beat reporters who cover the team on a daily basis, and I’m happy for them and fans.

More access means a better appreciation for players and coaches. Still, some people are concerned with the drastic changes.

Sammy Rubin of Trussville writes:

I remember when Ray Perkins took over for Coach Paul Bryant. One of the first things he did was remove the tower. I felt, at the time, it was disrespectful. Now Coach DeBoer is undoing some of Coach Saban’s tried-and-tested practices of closed practices and assistant coaches not talking to the media. Not the same thing, I know, but when you are following a very successful person into their position, it would seem prudent to me to examine why they had that in place at all.

I know both Bryant and Saban had their reasons for everything they did and their reasons may have had something to do with their success. Maybe Coach DeBoer is so confident in his abilities that these things don’t matter to him. He deserves the benefit of the doubt. I still remember Perkins’ failures. Doing something your way because it’s your way may not always be the best way. Thanks for listening!

ANSWER: I can’t think of two more polar opposite coaching personalities than Perkins and DeBoer, so that seems like an advantage for Alabama’s new coach from the very beginning. While a good coach, Perkins was known to be a prickly pear and was wound pretty tight. The concern about DeBoer from fans, from what I can gather, is that he might be too nice. It seems like a reach. If anything, DeBoer’s demeanor might help him follow a legend like Saban.

I wrote last month that DeBoer’s time at Alabama will only work if he does things his way. Why change what works for him? Saban’s one-voice policy was authoritative. That’s how the GOAT liked to operate. As for the media, Saban wanted the spotlight on him at all times. It allowed Saban to remain the star of the show. In the end, it helped Saban parlay his job as a coach into his new gig with ESPN College GameDay. In today’s game, where players can make money off of their name, image and likeness, Saban’s ways seem antiquated and counter-productive.

Expect to read and hear excellent stories about more Alabama players with DeBoer. More access to the media for players isn’t a bad thing. Many of Alabama’s legendary players during the Saban years went underappreciated (or even unknown) because they were never allowed to speak with reporters.

Saban didn’t completely close off practices until his last couple seasons. He did it because he didn’t want anyone to know who was missing in action. Players are smart. They will embrace DeBoer’s new media policy and use it to their advantage. Players are required to speak with reporters in the NFL for a reason. As for assistant coaches, gaining experience with the media can help advance their careers.

Bill Kling of Huntsville writes:

If after two years or so, things do not work out at Alabama with the new coach as hoped, do you envision a scenario where Nick Saban gets bored, being on ESPN and playing golf, etc., and decides to return to coaching back at the Capstone, or is he gone once and for all?

ANSWER: As a journalist, it’s in my nature to never rule anything out. I’ve seen enough buzz-beaters in my career to know that the game is never over. As for Saban’s career as a coach? Let’s just say I’m not expecting a 4th and 31-type comeback. The bigger question here is why doubt the current coach from the beginning?

We already know that DeBoer is a proven winner. He went 25-3 over his two seasons at Washington. That’s an incredible record and especially given the fact that Washington only won four games in 2021 before DeBoer took over. There’s no reason to think DeBoer can’t do the same thing at Alabama. He’s taking over a team that went to the semifinals last season and returns starting quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Bill Snyder once retired from coaching at Kansas State and then returned to Manhattan, Kan., to coach for 10 more years. I interviewed Snyder a few years back when he was awarded the Nick Saban Legacy Award, and was delighted to learn that he started out as a swim coach. For guys like Snyder and Saban, I imagine the desire to coach never goes away.

Let’s be real about this, though. Would Miss Terry ever even think about allowing Coach Saban to make a return to the sidelines? Heck no. Saban will scratch his coaching itch by preparing for Saturdays in the fall on the set of ESPN College GameDay.

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the readers who write into the mailbag. I’d like to start sharing some of the stories that find their way to my inbox. This next question comes from Broox Holmes of Mobile. Broox has been an Alabama football fan his entire life and remembers watching Alabama legend Harry Gilmer and Auburn legend Travis Tidwell (both Woodlawn High grads). Broox also attended the first renewal of the Alabama-Auburn game in 1948. Alabama won 55-0.

Broox graduated from Foley High School and the University of Alabama before serving three years in the Marine Corps as a rifle platoon leader both in the U.S. and overseas. He then went back to school and graduated from UA law school. Broox practiced law for 50 years.

Broox brought a critical eye to my column about Auburn coach Hugh Freeze. In the column, I mentioned that Freeze had a head start on DeBoer and that Freeze should dominate the beginning of the rivalry between the two coaches.

Broox Holmes of Mobile writes:

Players leaving Alabama now reminds me of 1958 when I was in law school and Coach Bryant came back to Alabama. Some players left and a reporter asked Coach Bryant, “Aren’t you concerned with those players leaving?” To which Coach responded, “THOSE WHO STAY WILL BE CHAMPIONS.” And they were! Hopes are high. Freeze should dominate DeBoer? When has DeBoer been dominated? When has Freeze dominated?

ANSWER: Thanks for calling me out Broox and thanks for the great stories. Maybe I’ll be incorrect, but no one ever said I had to be right all the time. That’s not my job. My job is to be a highly opinionated sports columnist. You’re right in defending DeBoer, but let’s not sell Freeze short. My columns are always anchored by informed opinions. Freeze had a great run at Ole Miss but his program was derailed by multiple scandals. Freeze ran afoul of the NCAA for recruiting violations but the NCAA now allows players to be paid (or at least can’t stop it). Advantage: Freeze. Bottom line: The Iron Bowl rivalry that you’ve enjoyed for so long won’t be getting any less interesting anytime soon.

SOUND OFF

Got a question about spring football in the SEC or college basketball? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe a question about what’s on your mind for the weekly mailbag. Let your voice be heard. Ask him anything.

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of the signature book about Nick Saban’s reign at Alabama, “We Want Bama”.