During his time in coaching, Nick Saban rightly earned a reputation as one of, if not they sharpest defensive mind in the sport — at least at the college level. So his absence would seemingly result in an expected step back for the Alabama defenses he helped shape. But for the players still in the building in Tuscaloosa, that’s not the plan. And new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack hasn’t shied away from what this moment can mean for players on the defense in 2024, the first season at Alabama in more than a decade without Saban. “As a defense as a whole, Coach Wommack has preached from Day 1…