The Alabama Crimson Tide is replacing more than assistant coaches this off season.

Phil Savage is stepping away from the broadcast booth and heading back to football, leaving the Crimson Tide Sports Network without a color commentator.

Savage, who also served as the executive director of the Senior Bowl until earlier this year, will become the general manager of the Phoenix team of the new football league the Alliance of American Football.

His broadcast partner since 2009 and the Voice of the Crimson Tide Eli Gold joined The Game with Ryan Fowler to discuss Savage's departure from the broadcast booth.

"Phil was great, he made me a better broadcaster, Gold said. "I think as any good play-by-play and color man do, we complimented each other in a good way, even with "Snake" going back to Kenny. I'm a professional describer, the next down i play will be my first. I can study, and watch tape and film, study some more and talk to all the participates."

"But I will never be able to bring to the table what a Kenny Stabler did, or what a Phil Savage did, or whatever qualities of a player or coach that my new partner is to bring whomever that might be."

Gold also discussed how he's submitted a list of some potential candidates, but he says the final decision will come down to Jim Carabin and Learfield Sports, athletic director Greg Bryne and possibly Coach Saban.

But regardless of the decision he says he's looking forward to working with them and build that on-air chemistry he had with Ken Stabler and Phil Savage.

For more of Eli Gold's conversation with Ryan Fowler, make sure you watch the video above the article. Don't miss The Game with Ryan Fowler weekday afternoons from 2-6 p.m. for the latest news, breakdown and analysis surrounding the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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