The University of Alabama had stability at the helm of its football program for 17 years.
Coaches and players came and left, but people knew Nick Saban was the lone constant.
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Recruits looked at the scripted A with more respect because of Saban. He elevated it, brought it conference and national championships, matured its young athletes into men, and positioned them to create generational wealth for their families.
Selfishly, we all thought Saban would coach forever. Now, Alabama fans are in a position it has never been in a while.
It has no stability at head coach, and Washington’s former head man is trying to create it in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Kalen DeBoer, 49, has been on a whirlwind of a journey since last week.
After getting the job to replace Saban, he’s been assembling a coaching staff, convincing recruits to remain with the Crimson Tide, and getting current players to buy into his vision. He has done a good job for the most part, but you will always have those that believe is Alabama really Alabama without Coach Saban at the forefront.
Several players have left via the NCAA transfer portal, but DeBoer had one message for Tide fans at Coleman Coliseum during Tuesday’s matchup against Missouri for Alabama men’s basketball. He introduced himself to more fans in getting immersed into the Tuscaloosa community, saying ‘the standard is Alabama.’
DeBoer wanted this challenge and is taking it full on.
“The standard is Alabama.” @AlabamaFTBL coach Kalen DeBoer is introduced to Bama fans 🐘 pic.twitter.com/4NI9CtgGrV
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 17, 2024
Alabama fans are excited to see what he could produce in spring practice.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
