In addition to DeBoer’s winning track record (104-12 before coming to Tuscaloosa), Dippre was immediately impressed by DeBoer agreeing to succeed arguably the greatest college football coach of all time.

There’s a different feeling within Alabama’s early practices that’s tangible, according to safety Bray Hubbard. Outside of just the general excitement for a new season, there’s a crispness in certain areas that wasn’t present a year ago, the result of a spring under a familiar coaching staff.

The Crimson Tide has made very few changes to its staff this offseason and the Alabama head coach shared the advantages of that.