As Bobby Williams says simply, life has been different this year for the long-time coach.

Williams, who served as the tight ends and special teams coach from 2008 to 2015 at Alabama, is in his first year in a new role as special assistant to head coach Nick Saban. Williams made the move to the off-the-field role to make room for Brent Key who was hired in February as the Tide's offensive line coach. Mario Cristobal took over the tight ends, while running backs coach Burton Burns assumed the special teams duties.

The good news: Williams kept his country club membership and makes the same salary as a special assistant ($440,840 annually) as he did as an on-field assistant. But the change has forced him to get used to a different position with different limitations than what he's been accustomed to during his career. Off-the-field coaches are limited in the coaching and recruiting they are allowed to do according to NCAA rules.

"It's been different," Williams told AL.com. "After coaching for 34 years being on the field, not being on it has been an adjustment."

What does Williams actually do as the special assistant to Saban? He says his job consists primarily of helping out the staff's offensive coaches. It makes sense given his background as a running backs coach (Michigan State, Miami Dolphins) and wide receivers coach (LSU, Detroit Lions). Williams is one of three former head coaches working in an off-field capacity this year for Alabama alongside former New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley and former USC and Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian who was recently promoted to offensive coordinator.

If you watch Williams during Alabama games, you'll see him talking to Burns after special teams plays. The long-time coach said he and Burns work together "every day" in some capacity. When asked whether the change has been good or bad, Williams is cagey about responding.

There's a bit of a sadness to Williams when he talks about his move to special assistant after so many years as an on-field assistant. The former Michigan State head coach didn't expect this detour so late in his career.

But being the loyal solider he is to Saban - they've worked together at Michigan State, LSU, Miami and now Alabama - he accepted his role when told it'd help the team. Alabama is a few days away from its fifth national championship and the Tide is yet again on pace to sign the nation's top-rated recruiting class.

"It's been good for the team," he said. "The success we have had this year has worked out pretty good."