Nick Saban believes Alabama will be rebuilding in 2019

Alabama football coach Nick Saban believes the program will be rebuilding this year after multiple departures by both assistant coaches and players with eligibility remaining.
Alabama football coach Nick Saban believes the program will be rebuilding this year after multiple departures by both assistant coaches and players with eligibility remaining.

Alabama lost the final game of the 2018 college football season by four touchdowns and has since lost five assistant coaches, as well as a program-record seven players to early declarations for the upcoming NFL combine and draft.

Even one of the Crimson Tide's most beloved players in recent memory, quarterback Jalen Hurts, decided to play his final season at Oklahoma.

If ever Nick Saban wanted to use the "rebuilding" term to define one of his teams, this would be as accurate as any, and he already has. Saban hasn't given many interviews since the 44-16 debacle against Clemson on Jan. 7, but he did speak briefly to Birmingham's CBS affiliate (WIAT) this week during his appearance at the Alabama Football Coaches Association's annual convention in Montgomery.

"I think you're always going to have changes," Saban said. "You like to have continuity, but I think sometimes that changes bring a lot of positive energy and new energy and new ideas. We're looking forward to sort of rebuilding the program so that it's what we want it to be.

"We've got a lot of work to do, but I'm excited about the people we've been able to get and attract to come to Alabama."

The AFCA convention started Thursday and runs through today.

Alabama, which went 14-1 and won all 12 of its regular-season games by at least three touchdowns, is losing half of its 22 starters from the championship game of the College Football Playoff. Of those 11 departures, six still had eligibility remaining - tight end Irv Smith, left tackle Jonah Williams, nose guard Quinnen Williams, middle linebacker Mack Wilson, cornerback Saivion Smith and free safety Deionte Thompson.

Backup running back Josh Jacobs also chose to leave early, but the departure that created the biggest stir was Hurts, the 2016 Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year and the hero of the 2018 SEC title game.

"For him to go someplace and be able to play on a good team, I think, is the best thing for him and his future," Saban said. "We appreciate so much all that he has done for the University of Alabama."

Aiding the Tide's transition this offseason will be a top-rated recruiting class that includes 24 December signees, with 15 having already enrolled.

Alabama fans will get their first look at the 2019 team at the A-Day spring game, which is at 2 p.m. Eastern on April 13. The television coverage will be announced at a later date, but A-Day again will be free to the public.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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