Brian Branch reveals a long-held bombshell secret about longtime Alabama head coach Nick Saban's Crimson Tide career

Former Alabama safety Brian Branch revealed to teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown at the “St. “Brown Podcast”: Nick Saban was physically attacked during practice with some of his Crimson Tide linemen.

“Well, you know, I got into it one day at practice,” Branch said, recalling his days in Tuscaloosa. “And it was with a lineman, and he had kind of hit me, he kind of cheated on me. His other offensive lineman came in and snuck me away.

“His other partner came and it was like a brawl between defense and offense, with the scout team offense, and Coach Saban got in and gave the offensive linemen a little hit. It probably just felt like a slap in the face to her.”

Anyone who thinks this will cause even the slightest stir in Tuscaloosa needs to get a grip. Crimson Tide fans crave this passion from Kalen DeBoer; whose calm presence could destroy the “Bama standard.”

Paul Finebaum and his Crimson Tide players tear apart the behavior of first-year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer

What Saban did worked. What DeBoer is doing doesn't last the first eight games of his Crimson Tide coaching tenure.

Paul Finebaum reports that many in the Alabama football program are frustrated that DeBoer is no longer like his predecessor on the sidelines.

“He didn't command the stage very well…His behavior on the sidelines annoys people, his lack of discipline, some of the things he says and does,” Finebaum said.

Alabama should not tolerate violence in practice. For many reasons.

But DeBoer needs to light some fire under his players because the way things are going, they may not be his players for much longer.