Nick Saban shocked the college football (and sports) world by abruptly deciding to retire from coaching.
At 72-years-old, we knew the day would come sooner rather than later. But no one expected it to be THIS soon.
It surely is an end of an era in not only Tuscaloosa but all of college football as a whole.
Love him or hate him, Nick Saban is an absolute legend. It just won’t be the same without him on the sidelines.
When Nick Saban is pissed, he gets PISSED pic.twitter.com/eCci5IPnSh
— Superdrunkmark69 (@cjzer0) December 30, 2018
As far as the Crimson Tide are concerned, sure there might be a few growing pains, but with new head coach Kalen DeBoer taking over, it’s expected to be business as usual in Tuscaloosa.
“There’s an understanding of coming to Alabama, what that all means.”@AlabamaFTBL @KalenDeBoer pic.twitter.com/frCxzYI4av
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) February 28, 2024
You won’t find too many people who have a problem with the DeBoer hiring.
Not only does his track record speak for itself, but he has also proven to be all about football and all about winning.
That may seem like a simple statement – but it’s not something to be taken for granted, especially at a program like Alabama.
“I keep bringing up low ego because the decisions we make have to be the best decisions for Alabama Football, not the ones because we thought of it”@AlabamaFTBL Head Coach @KalenDeBoer discusses the characteristics he prioritizes when building a coaching staff pic.twitter.com/QY0K3RhfmI
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) February 28, 2024
In other words, things will look quite similar around Tuscaloosa as we transition from Saban to DeBoer.
However, there will be one significant change…
Unlike Saban, DeBoer will not only allow his assistant coaches to speak to the media this spring, but he will allow viewing sessions of practice to reporters as well.
“The world has changed … Alabama will allow its assistants to speak to the media this spring – and there will viewing sessions at practices for reporters,” Brandon Marcello of 247Sports tweeted on X.
The world … has changed.
Alabama will allow its assistants to speak to the media this spring — and there will viewing sessions at practices for reporters.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) February 27, 2024
This decision marks a significant shift from the past, where media access was limited and tightly controlled under Saban.
DeBoer’s move to open up practices and allow assistant coaches to interact with reporters reflects a recognition of changing times and the importance of transparency in modern college football.
(Or maybe he just wants to earn some extra brownie points with the media.)
Kalen DeBoer to @NextRoundLive on re-opening parts of Alabama practice to reporters: "Anytime we can work together to get our message out from our program — I know y'all want to see what's happening, too. That's balance where it's benefitting both of us, I think that's what I'm…
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) February 28, 2024
Alabama reporters have welcomed these changes, anticipating a more open and informative relationship with the coaching staff.
It’s a move that likely signals a departure from the secrecy and exclusivity that characterized the Saban era.
People said Kalen DeBoer wouldn't be able to recruit at Alabama…. They were wrong..
A month into his Alabama tenure, Kalen DeBoer has landed 5 ⭐️ WR Ryan Williams and the #1 player in the transter portal, Keon Sabb… (former Michigan DB)… 🐘🅰️ pic.twitter.com/0fbIDtIHyj— Roll Tide #18™ 🐘 (@jerrysandersRTR) February 21, 2024
Having said that, at his core, DeBoer is an old-school football coach just like Saban is (was).
Although Saban’s (and Kirby Smart’s) vocabulary is known to be a tad more colorful than DeBoer’s…
Kalen DeBoer: “I don’t curse”
Kirby: *reaction videos on YouTube of him cursing pic.twitter.com/KQSjvy43Hb
— Randy Marsh (UGA fan) (@UGARandy) February 28, 2024
One thing DeBoer has made clear is that Saban is always welcomed in his office and around the team and facility. (He does still have an office there after all.)
“I’m going to ask him that he shows up, makes sure that he gives me at least one thing every day,” DeBoer stated during his introductory press conference.
“I’m sure he’s going to have 10, but I’m going to be good with that … At least one thing that he sees, that we could get better at.”
Kalen DeBoer says Nick Saban has “100% access” to his operations as Alabama’s head coach:
(via @ByCasagrande) pic.twitter.com/rk2Wmft9wk— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) January 13, 2024
What is your take on the DeBoer hire?
Is he the right coach to continue the Crimson Tide legacy?
Do you anticipate any growing pains???
Dabo to Nick Saban after hearing that Kalen DeBoer is going to be Alabama’s next head coach pic.twitter.com/qT1SM9BKCu
— GeoffinLincoln (@GeoffinLincoln) January 12, 2024