Kalen DeBoer Attempts to Follow Nick Saban’s Legacy as Alabama’s Head Coach

DALLAS — Kalen DeBoer, who will forever be known as the guy who was brave/stupid enough to follow Nick Saban at Alabama, admitted he will be sweating more this season than any time in his career.

A lot more.

The reason, though, isn’t what you would expect.

It’s not the challenge of following the GOAT in Tuscaloosa. It has more to do with the difference in weather in Alabama compared to his previous coaching stops at Washington, Fresno State, Indiana, Eastern Michigan, Southern Illinois and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The biggest difference between his previous jobs and coaching in Alabama?

“I sweat a lot more,” DeBoer said. “It’s hot.”

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How hot will it get for DeBoer at Alabama A.S. (After Saban) depends on how the Crimson Tide fare under the 49-year-old DeBoer.

Of the 30 new head coaches in the FBS ranks this season, not one will be more scrutinized and analyzed than DeBoer.

“I get [those questioning my decision to follow Saban] — I totally get it,” DeBoer said at the main stage at SEC Media Days while Saban watched 50 yards away from his perch on an ESPN desk. “I understand there’s only one Coach Saban. There will only ever be one Coach Saban.

“This program is special, and I guess I just take it as a great honor to be the one that gets to do everything we can to carry on the great tradition.

“There’s so much blood, sweat and tears, whether it's the players and the alumni that have been in this program, or coaches — and obviously referring to Coach Saban. So much is put into this place. We all have alma maters. We all have places that we have great pride in, and you always want that to be home. We always want to make those people proud of their alma mater and the work that's been put in to set this program up for success.

Success is one thing DeBoer is very familiar with. He has been a head coach for nine seasons at Division II Sioux Falls (South Dakota), Fresno State and Washington. He has coached 116 games. He has won 104.

That’s an insane .896 winning percentage.

Obviously, the degree of difficulty in the SEC is much, much different than D-II, Mountain West or even Pac-12 ball. The schedule will be the toughest DeBoer has ever faced. Five of the Crimson Tide’s final nine games are against projected preseason top-25 teams: Georgia, at Tennessee, Missouri, at LSU and at Oklahoma.

DeBoer is up for the challenge and credits his success at his various stops on the coaching trail that led him to Tuscaloosa.

“I know this: I would not trade my journey for anything,” DeBoer said. “It gives me an appreciation for where I'm at. It gives me an appreciation for the people I have around me.

“I think there's, again, just an appreciation I have for everyone. When you have the support systems that you have at this level, and I understand their roles and how important and valuable they are and making them feel a part of it.

“It allows me to really focus on the things that I really love to do, and that's build these relationships with these guys and dive into the football and coach these guys up and help them be the best they can be. There's just a little bit more in those areas that I get to focus on.”

Alabama players have already noticed the difference between DeBoer and Saban.

“I wouldn't say it's more relaxed,” Alabama guard Tyler Booker said. “Coach DeBoer lets the media in more, but the standard is the standard on the field, off the field, in the classroom, on the microphone. So, the standard is the standard. You're going to represent your family and yourself and the team, most importantly, in the best way possible.”

Alabama strong safety Malachi Moore said he’s noticed different coaching styles.

“Both of them work and are very effective but, like I said, they have two different ways of going about it,” Moore said. “Coach DeBoer is more of a player-led type of coach. He kind of lets his players take over and lead a team. When he has things to say, he definitely voices his opinion and let it be known and things on his mind.”

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Despite their differences, DeBoer said there are some similarities.

“Every coach is different,” DeBoer said. “We all have different personalities. We all have our styles, especially when you've been doing it for a while in this profession, you kind of have the things that you really like to do and favor.

“But in the end, the most important things, I think a lot of those are probably pretty similar more than they're different. Pouring into the guys and helping them and pushing them to be at their best, holding them accountable and expecting a high level of discipline while also trying to build a brotherhood and a family that exists through great team chemistry to be great on the football field when it matters most.”

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