Nick Saban quips he missed the media, praises Alabama's offseason work

Alabama kicked off spring practice on Monday, marking the start to head coach Nick Saban’s 17th year at the helm for the Crimson Tide. It’s safe to say it’s not Saban’s first rodeo, and when he opened up his first press conference of the offseason, he was in a surprisingly cheery mood.

“How are we doing guys?” Saban asked. “Long time no see, got to say that I really missed you, so welcome.”

Saban’s relationship with the media over the years has been a complex one, but it sounds like they’re starting to grow on him. We’ll see if Saban can maintain that same spirit throughout the offseason, but his positive attitude may come from his outlook on how the offseason has looked so far for his squad.

“So I was very impressed with the way our team went about the offseason program,” Saban admitted. “The progress that we made not only in conditioning but also in simulated training and guys learning and understanding a little bit about what they need to do.”

There are many teams across the country that have already kicked off spring practice, but Saban explained why certain circumstances has compelled them to get a later start.

“Some of the reason for having a later spring practice was having 26 mid-year guys who haven’t been in the program. Again, gave us a little more opportunity to acclimate them to what it takes to get in condition, learn a little about what you need to know to go out there and be able to execute, and do your job, and have a little better chance to do that,” Saban explained.

Between transfer portal acquisitions and early enrolled freshman, there’s plenty of fresh faces in Tuscaloosa already this year. And the more Saban, his staff, and even his veteran players can get them up to speed, the better the Crimson Tide can be.

And aside from getting his newer players up to speed, Saban revealed what the main focal point is for his team this spring, as they look to get back into the SEC and National Championship picture this upcoming season.

“Because the number one focus of spring practice is on your development,” Saban said. “Every player we want you to focus on your development, not what team you are, not where you’re at, not the reps, but take advantage of every opportunity that you get to be accountable and responsible to do your job and take pride in paying attention to details so that you can do your job well.”