The standard implemented during the 17 years under Nick Saban could be considered unachievable by most coaches and programs.
But at the very least, Kalen DeBoer is looking to chase it.
When making and appearance on The Next Round on Thursday, DeBoer discussed his expectations for the team this fall and he revealed that he and his group are looking to compete for a national title.
“I mean, in all honesty, that’s what you come here for, right?” DeBoer said. “You come here, and there’s gonna come a point in time where there’s a lot of pressure going into a week or going in even into a moment of a game. And, you know, the thing I’m always gonna remind the guys of is, ‘This is why you came here.’ And that’s why I came here, too, you know, is to be a part of that — having those expectations.
“That’s what it’s been and that’s what it needs to be. You try to do everything you can each and every day to make that happen to live up to that. That’s certainly our goal.”
“In all honesty, that’s what you come here for.” @KalenDeBoer’s response when asked about winning a National Championship in Year 1@AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/ILGwgX0aUW
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) April 18, 2024
Although it hasn’t quite been at a Saban level, success has been a staple of everywhere DeBoer has served from his time at Sioux Falls, Fresno State and Washington. During his run as a head coach, DeBoer has compiled an overall record of 104-12 which includes an appearance in the national championship last season.
DeBoer’s current roster of Crimson Tide players certainly has the talent on paper to be amongst the top 12 teams that will be competing in the College Football Playoff this season. But with several months between now and its Week 1 matchup against Western Kentucky on Aug. 31, there’s a lot of meshing to do with the new systems to do before anybody starts talking championships.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
