With new helmet communicators, Alabama football went to work Monday. As film review starts on Tuesday, the Tide will get a chance to do something it couldn’t in the offseason regarding its new offensive and defensive schemes: UA players will now watch themselves on film.

“When you bring in concepts, whether it’s offense, defense, or special teams, the coaching staff brings in your ideas, which usually involves cut-ups from the programs you came from,” new head coach Kalen DeBoer said in his first news conference of the spring.

That’s an understatement. The new lieutenants in Tuscaloosa come from all over the country: DeBoer’s former Washington assistants hold two on-field roles and key advisor positions; two former group of five head coaches from Alabama and Buffalo, respectively; a pair of late hires from Baylor to fill out a game of staffing musical chairs. DeBoer is managing personalities and expectations in a post-Nick Saban era while also implementing a new vision. And after day one, DeBoer now has a base to build off.

Alabama’s offensive players likely reviewed tape of DeBoer’s 2023 Washington offense. It’s 7 yards per play and 36 points per game generated both ranked in the top 11 nationally. It’s expected to produce multiple high draft picks in next month’s NFL Draft from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to wideout Rome Odunze. It should help that wide receiver Germie Bernard, tight end Josh Cuevas and most importantly, center Parker Brailsford followed DeBoer via the transfer portal to help established players like Jalen Milroe and Tyler Booker learn the system’s nuances.

On the defensive side, former South Alabama coach Kane Wommack will bring his 4-2-5 swarm scheme that has the same body of a Saban defense but brings different position names and rolls for key players like an outside edge rusher, tabbed as the ‘Husky’ and strong safety or ‘Rover.’ Wommack and Saban shared notes in offseason meetings when Saban returned to Tuscaloosa in mid-February after spending the first part of his retirement in Florida.

“Those first impressions, I know are important for those guys as they’re out there today competing and making plays,” DeBoer sad. “The intensity was high and I would expect it to be that as they, as you said, have kind of a new slate and everyone’s starting from the same point.”

UA is practicing on its side fields this year due to construction around the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility. Music reportedly pulsed through drills. Players were instructed last week where they’d go in each session and what the energy expectations would be depending on the amount of pads they wore. Overall, DeBoer said it was a “smooth” start.

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