Kalen DeBoer tells how Alabama kept players from entering transfer portal after spring

Nov 9, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer reacts to a touchdown scored against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Alabama was the only SEC football program to retain its entire roster after the spring, and head coach Kalen DeBoer credits his staff for building in-depth relationships with the players as to why the team was able to stay completely intact.

“We got a bunch of people that have relationships still at the priority of who they are and what they try to do,” DeBoer said in an interview on Beat Everyone: An AL.com Alabama Football Podcast. “You know, it’s authentic and probably the best word is meaningful. And that’s what I’ve continued to stress to our staff is those relationships look different as you go through experiences together. But meaningful relationships mean there’s something that’s in-depth. What it does is it builds trust and allows us to coach our guys in a way that what we tell them isn’t something that also gets emotional. Like they realize we’re coaching them up for the betterment of their good. It’s going to be something that adds value to who they are as a person and a player, and because of that, that’s why they stay. To me, it’s not something where it’s like ‘Oh, we got them all to stay.’ This is just what we want our program culture to be. They know there’s progression that’s going to be made. They stay the course; the things will come their way.”

Retaining the entire roster means that none of Alabama’s quarterbacks left in the midst of a battle for the starting job. DeBoer said offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and quarterback coach Nick Sheridan are open and honest with each quarterback about progression and their role, saying it’s amazing what happens when everyone is open from the start.

DeBoer also believes Alabama having different personalities on its staff is an important factor that contributes to relationship building.

“I think for our coaching staff, we have so many different personalities,” DeBoer said. “You have to have that, and that’s intentional. We wouldn’t want a bunch of people that are exactly like me, and you can go right on down the line. You can’t have 10 more of that same type of personality or style of coach. You have to tap into each other strengths to maximize what we’re capable of.”

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