Nick Saban has been enjoying his retirement from coaching.
He’s been golfing, taking in Alabama men’s basketball, and has accepted an analyst position at ESPN. Saban was at an event in Birmingham (Ala.) on Monday and reporters wanted his first thoughts of Kalen DeBoer as the new head football coach at the University of Alabama. After 17 years of being the head man for the Crimson Tide, Saban is excited to see what DeBoer does.
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He does not want anyone to think he’s looking over DeBoer’s shoulder, but he loves the character of the former Washington coach.
Nick Saban asked about his early impressions of #Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and the job he’s done so far:
Video via: @WBRCnews
“…I think he’s hired a good staff and I think he’s a good man. I think he’s a good coach and I think he will do a really good job.”… pic.twitter.com/r7DHdmr6qw
— Rosie Langello (@RosieLangello) February 20, 2024
*Video comes via Rosie Langello of WFSA Channel 12 News
“I really have not been around,” Saban said about looking at the Alabama program since retirement.
“I really try to stay at arms length. I think he [Kalen DeBoer] has hired a good staff, I think he’s a good man, I think he’s a good coach, and I think he will do a really good job.”
DeBoer turned Washington from 4-8 in 2021 to 25-3 in his two seasons there as head coach. He pushed the Huskies to 14 victories, a Pac-12 Championship, and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2023.
DeBoer has been a winner at every coaching stop on his journey.
He wanted the challenge of being Saban’s successor and we will get to see how he performs in that role.
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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.
