Alabama hired Greg Byrne this week as its new athletic director, and many Crimson Tide fans are wondering what effect the change from Bill Battle to Byrne might have on the football team. It appears fans don’t have to worry, as coach Nick Saban noted that he was impressed by Byrne’s “plan and vision” for UA athletics in a statement released by the school today.

“Greg Byrne is one of the brightest administrators in college athletics today and we are very excited that he will be our next Director of Athletics,” Saban said in a school release. “He has done a tremendous job in that role previously at both Mississippi State and Arizona. In our meetings with Greg we were very impressed with his plan and vision for Alabama athletics.

“We encourage the entire Crimson Tide family to fully support our new athletics director as we work to make all aspects of our athletics department even stronger. We are looking forward to working with Greg and would like to welcome the Byrne family to Tuscaloosa.”

Saban was hired in Alabama in 2007 by former Alabama AD Mal Moore, who held the position from 1999-2013. Moore was succeeded by Bill Battle, who recently retired.