Why Malachi Moore Stayed With Alabama Despite Coaching Change

The defensive back had a close relationship with Nick Saban, but honored his commitment to return for a fifth year and play under Kalen DeBoer.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — When Nick Saban retired back in January, he cited Malachi Moore as one of the most difficult players to share the news with. 

"It definitely was a tough conversation," Moore said. "Me and him had a great relationship since the time I’ve been here. And he spent most of the time with the DBs, so I’m always with him making jokes and things of that nature."

Moore had already committed to return to Alabama for his fifth and final season before Saban's retirement announcement. However, he had the opportunity to enter the transfer portal during the 30-day window afterward because of the coaching transition. So, why did he decide to stay and give the new coaching staff a chance?

"I made a commitment to come back to this university not just because of Coach Saban but everyone around him— from the people in academics to the nutrition staff to the training room and all of my teammates," Moore said. "I just love being here. It’s a great place, and I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else."

Alabama has held two spring practices under new head coach Kalen DeBoer so far with the third coming Friday afternoon. Moore said he's still getting used to Saban no longer being at practice but has loved working with the new coaches so far. 

Perhaps no position group was hit harder over the offseason than the secondary. Between those headed off to the NFL draft and those who entered the transfer portal, there is not a lot of familiarity on the 2024 Alabama roster in the defensive backfield.

The only scholarship players returning at the position are DeVonta Smith, Bray Hubbard, Jahlil Hurley, Tony Mitchell and Malachi Moore. And Moore is the only one who really has any significant playing experience on defense with the other guys mostly seeing time on special teams through their first few seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Alabama did get some help from the transfer portal in Michigan safety Keon Sabb and USC cornerback Domani Jackson, but there are also a lot of young faces working in the secondary throughout the spring with early enrollees Jaylen Mbakwe, Zavier Mincey, Zabien Brown, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. and Peyton Woodyard.

Fortunately for Alabama and the new coaching staff, Moore brings a ton of experience both on and off field as a returning team captain. Moore joked that he's now the "old old guy" in the room. New defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist said Moore is like having a coach on the field. New defensive coordinator Kane Wommack described him as an "unbelievable professional.

"I think that he carries himself with the body language and a demeanor that every coach wants to work with, wants to compete with every single day," Wommack said. "He’s got a hunger to get better. He’s not satisfied with where he is although he’s done a tremendous job as a football player. I’m really excited about what he’s going to bring to the table from a leadership standpoint, especially with some of these young defensive backs that are very talented, but they need that leadership, that experience to be able to lean on."

Moore has 26 career starts, over 140 tackles and five interceptions to his name over his career at Alabama. Last season, he had 52 tackles with five tackles for loss. With so much uncertainty and unfamiliarity in the secondary as Alabama opens spring practice, for defensive lineman like Tim Keenan III, it's reassuring to have Moore in the defensive backfield. 

"It’s definitely good still seeing Malachi back there, knowing that when I’m getting great pressure, I know somebody’s going to come down and make the play or take it out of the air," Keenan said. 

One of the things Moore is looking forward to about this season is the opportunity to share the sidelines with his younger brother Ayden, who signed as a preferred walk-on last month. The two have never gotten to be on the same team before because of the five-year age gap. 

As a kid from the state of Alabama and returning team captain, Moore is ready to continue in a leadership role as he adjusts to a new staff and team. 

"This new year, I feel like everything is meant to be at the end of the day," Moore said. "I’m meant to be here at Alabama with Coach DeBoer and all the new coaching staff they’ve brought in. But I think it’s a great change for us just because they’re bringing in a new energy, new ideas and philosophies and ways to look at the game. I really think that’s going to help us be overall better players and really take our game to the next level.”

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