Nick Saban speaks to Alabama football for the 1st time since retirement on A-Day

Nick Saban was back at Denny Chimes on Saturday. Like he’s presided over for nearly two decades, Saban was at the champion’s ceremony before the Alabama football spring game.

Yet, when A-Day kicked off about an hour later, Saban wasn’t on the field. Instead, UA’s former coach was in a suite, watching over some of the players he coached a few months ago. Earlier, Saban spoke to his team for the first time since his retirement in January.

“It was cool seeing Coach again, man. I got into him seeing him on the internet with his beard,” senior defensive back Malachi Moore said. “I thought he was gonna have that on today. He just came back and told us that he loves us, that he misses us and he’s always here for us and he’s always rooting for us.

“He said he don’t have to have to shave unless he has to and today he felt like he had to. I feel him on that.”

DeBoer told the team to expect Saban, who’s had an active couple of months. Saban spent time in Florida at various golf tournaments and made another trip to Washington D.C. to talk about the name, image and likeness system that’s rocked college sports. When Saban returned to Tuscaloosa, he met with some of the Tide’s coaches, including defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.

Saban will have an office in Bryant-Denny Stadium while DeBoer takes Saban’s prior space in the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility. Malachi Moore said he’s visited Saban in his new office, which is in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Throughout the spring, players have been asked to compare DeBoer’s methods to Saban’s.

“I would say the biggest difference is there’s a lot of younger, positive energy in the building I would say. Coach Saban has it his way and his way works. It’s very demanding, militant kinda like, but it worked for 17 years here,” Moore said. “Just the biggest thing is like music at practice and having hype. We always play around at practice and if somebody make a big play we all rush the field.”

Saturday’s A-Day scrimmage featured a different format than Saban’s. The offense and defense were split and competed with a unique scoring system. The offense’s early run was enough for the 34-28 victory and the accompanying steak dinner.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at NAlvarez@al.com.