LIVINGSTON, Ala. – One hour away from the place that made him famous, Scott Cochran gets the news from his athletic trainer that it's too hot to wear pads at practice today.

It's an unfortunate reality of the blazing Alabama sun this morning, but he has no choice but to adapt and move on. He knows it won't go over well with his young staff -- full of former Alabama stars like Blake Sims, O.J. Howard and Bo Scarbrough. They are eager for another opportunity to improve with the season opener looming. Cochran was once the same -- ringleader of those then-Alabama players running 110s in the punishing heat that helped shape Crimson Tide teams that never backed down.

But when you've lived the life Cochran has over the last five years, you gain perspective on what really matters.

Inside Homer

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