Another day, another reason for Alabama critics to create a false narrative about Nick Saban. As I am sure you have heard, the Crimson Tide has had a bit of coaching turnover since the season ended. None of the assistants from the 2017 staff will be a part of the 2019 version. And quickly the villagers get out their torches and pitchforks to attack the castle.
Upon closer examination, the positive reasons for departures heavily outweigh those of a negative variety.
2015
| Coach | Position | Reason For Departure |
| Kirby Smart | Defensive coordinator, inside linebackers | PROMOTION: Head Coach Georgia |
| Mel Tucker | Assistant head coach and defensive backs | PROMOTION: Georgia DC (now Colorado head coach) |
| Burton Burns | Associate head coach, running backs | Retained |
| Lane Kiffin | Offensive coordinator, quarterbacks | Retained |
| Mario Cristobal | offensive line | Retained |
| Billy Napier | Wide receivers | Retained |
| Tosh Lupoi | Outside linebackers | Retained |
| Bobby Williams | Tight ends and special teams | Moved to off-field position |
| Bo Davis | Defensive line | NCAA issues |
2016
| Coach | Position | Reason For Departure |
| Lane Kiffin | Offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach | PROMOTION: Head Coach FAU |
| Mario Cristobal | Offensive tackles and tight ends, recruiting coordinator | PROMOTION: Oregon OC (now head coach) |
| Burton Burns | Associate head coach, running backs coach | Retained |
| Karl Dunbar | Defensive line coach | Retained |
| Jeremy Pruitt | Defensive coordinator, inside linebackers | Retained |
| Tosh Lupoi | Outside linebackers | Retained |
| Derrick Ansley | Defensive backs | Retained |
| Brent Key | Interior offensive line and special teams | Retained |
2017
| Coach | Position | Reason For Departure |
| Jeremy Pruitt | Defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach | PROMOTION: Head Coach Tennessee |
| Derrick Ansley | Defensive backs | PROMOTION: Colorado State, defensive coordinator |
| Tosh Lupoi | Co-defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach | Retained |
| Mike Locksley | Co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach | Retained |
| Joe Pannunzio | Tight end coach and special teams coordinator | Retained |
| Brent Key | Offensive line | Retained |
| Burton Burns | Associate head coach and running backs coach | “Retired” to off-field |
| Karl Dunbar | Defensive line coach | Move back to the NFLs |
| Brian Daboll | Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach | Alleged personality differences |
2018
| Coach | Position | Reason For Departure |
| Mike Locksley | Offensive coordinator | PROMOTION: Head Coach Maryland |
| Dan Enos | Associate head coach/quarterbacks coach | PROMOTION: Miami OC |
| Josh Gattis | Co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach | PROMOTION: Michigan OC |
| Brent Key | Offensive line coach | PROMOTION: Georgia Tech Assistant Head Coach/OL |
| Pete Golding | Co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach | Retained |
| Jeff Banks | Special teams coordinator/tight end coach | Retained |
| Karl Scott | Defensive backs coach | Retained |
| Joe Pannunzio | Running backs coach | Believed to have health issues |
| Craig Kuligowski | Associate head coach/defensive line coach | Alleged personality differences |
| Tosh Lupoi | Defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach | Alleged inadequacies as a DC |
The narrative goes that mean ol’ Nick Saban is a grumpy old grouch and hard to get along with.