Alabama began its quest to find a new starting quarterback with five candidates on campus and a big-name position coach in Lane Kiffin. The Crimson Tide opened spring practice Saturday on an idyllic, sunny afternoon in what likely amounts to Phase 1 of the search for AJ McCarron's successor as the offensive leader. Alabama, winner of three of the past five national titles, hopes it also starts the team on a path toward redemption after losing its final two games. Florida State transfer quarterback Jake Coker won't arrive until this summer after graduating but is already the presumed front-runner for the starting job. "I think all of you know that the quarterback competition this spring is going to be something that a lot of people are going to get a lot of opportunity at," Saban told reporters. "Jacob is not going to be here in the spring, but he's certainly going to get an opportunity when he gets here as well. "That's going to be the goal to develop each of our quarterbacks and see which one we feel would have the best opportunity to be successful next year." Read more http://espn.go.com/college-football...-tide-open-spring-practice-search-quarterback