Kane Wommack has a unique challenge. Alabama football’s new defensive coordinator has to install his system in Tuscaloosa, just like most first-year DCs must do.

However, he’s putting his in to replace Nick Saban’s. A daunting task, but one the former South Alabama head coach is taking in stride.

Wommack said he’d had an in-person meeting with Saban on Wednesday, before appearing on the Next Round Live internet show.

“I told my wife I was like cramming for a final the night before,” Wommack said on the show. “Making sure that my cut-ups and everything was ready to go for that meeting.”

Wommack left his job as a sitting head coach for the Jaguars to join Kalen DeBoer’s staff at Alabama. He found a supportive helper in the retired Saban, though Wommack said he tries not to both the man who won six national titles with the Crimson Tide.

According to Wommack, there’s plenty of carryover between what Saban and company did last season, and what he plans to implement in Tuscaloosa.

“Coach has been awesome,” Wommack said. “He’s been helpful. He’s honest. Gives me his real thoughts, I ask him real questions. I want to know this team. I want to know what he built from a defensive perspective and how to best take what was done the last 17 years, and how they’ve evolved over 17 years to the point they are now, and how we best need to make that transition from a defensive scheme.”

Alabama begins spring practice on Monday. DeBoer’s first A-Day game is scheduled for April 13 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Wommack said he won’t be meeting with Saban again before spring ball starts. However, he said the two could meet up in a more social setting in the future.

“He said at some point he’s gonna try to take my money on a golf course,” Wommack said. “So we’ll do that at some point.”