He'll be allowed to stay as long as he wishes, as long as Greg Byrne is AD. You're right about the expectations here, but with the expanded playoff coming, the chances of winning a championship get better for programs like Alabama. The coaching thing is an interesting perspective. I think the thing that got away from us/Saban, was leaning a little too heavily toward the up-tempo, spread offense. Clearly, we had the weapons to utilize that type of offense, and it worked to great success. But it came at the expense of being a little "soft" along the lines of scrimmage and we became much easier to game plan against. Especially when we were without exceptional WRs. You saw it in 2021 multiple times, but Bryce and the WRs were so good, it often didn't matter. Even against UGA that year, who was the clear best team. Last year we didn't have the WR, and our OL and run game were so finesse that we couldn't pound out the yards to open up anything. But again, Bryce was so good, it often didn't matter. I think Saban recognizes this, and based on the recruiting along the lines of scrimmage, and the coordinators hired, we are moving back more toward being more physical. I don't think we'll go all the way back to 2015 Alabama, more like what UGA was this season, but maybe a little more dynamic at QB and WR.
From what I've gathered through spring practice, areas of concern on offense are the development at QB, depth on the OL, and consistency at WR. I think the coaches are "happy" with our QB room, but if a clear upgrade presents itself in the portal, we would be very interested. Upgrade meaning experience/success at this level of college football. We won't be going after an inexperienced but talented guy. We have those already. Feel really good about the first 5-6 OL, but there's just not much after them in the way of experience. I think WR will be fine. The juco guy has drawn rave reviews and looks like he has the potential to be a future high draft pick. If he (Benson) works out, the rest of the WR are much better suited to being #2 or #3 guys. The RB room is stacked, and if the OL truly can go back to being big, nasty, tone setting group, we could see some stars emerge, particularly Justice Haynes and Jam Miller. Jase McClellan will still be the starter, but we have depth here. TE spot doesn't have any superstars, or even one guy who can do all the things you'd like them to, but several guys who as a unit should be able to play winning football
I'm pretty excited to see our defense go back to our previous play style. Practicing against a more physical offense day in and day out should definitely bring back some toughness that may have been missing the last few seasons. The DL group has a lot of bodies, with a lot of experience, but lacks that 1st round guy like a Jonathan Allen, Marcel Dareus, Quinnen Williams, etc. Jaheim Oatis could be that guy, as he has been farther along in his development than expected. The freshman 5* James Smith certainly looks to be that guy, but we'll have to see once the season starts. OLB/DE should be a strength as we've recruited very well there, and now it's Dallas Turner's time to step out of Will Anderson's shadow. He and Chris Braswell missed spring practice while recovering from offseason surgery, but not worried about those 2. There's also a lot of talent right behind them, so the position should be pretty good. MLB has some newcomers, but they come with experience with a JUCO and the transfer from UGA. Deonte Lawson is a projected starter who missed spring for the same reasons as Turner and Braswell, but was pretty good last year. Secondary had some rough games last year, but I've heard lots of positives this spring. Kool-Aid McKinstry is back and a projected all-SEC and all-American type player. Caleb Downs has been the big story at safety. Early enrollee and almost immediately earned a spot with the first team, and has performed well. He'll certainly have his freshmen moments, but most feel he's similar to Minkah Fitzpatrick, just a really good football player.
Not sure what we have at returners, but Reichard at PK is one of the best in the country, and the punter was serviceable last year and I'd hope to see him get better.
Schedule is manageable with home games against Texas, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Arkansas, and LSU. Away games are South Florida, Miss St, aTm, AU and Kentucky. You don't get better as a team by losing Bryce Young and Will Anderson, but I think this team has a chance of performing better due to the philosophical shift. 1-85 is as talented as any in the country, so I don't know why the expectation should be anything other than winning the West and competing for the SEC and national title. Might be a little bumpy breaking in a new QB, but with a little injury luck this could be a championship favorite by November
