DeBoer tells why he got ‘choked up’ in Iron Bowl post-game interview

Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer congratulates Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown (2) as he leaves the field after a stop against LSU at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Moments after Alabama football’s 27-20 Iron Bowl victory, ESPN’s Holly Rowe caught up with Kalen DeBoer and conducted a post-game interview that led to DeBoer getting emotional while speaking on the resilience of his team.

As Rowe was wrapping up the portion of her interview that was with DeBoer, she asked a question about how special his team is right as quarterback Ty Simpson approached them, and the moment became one that fans are using as a vehicle to fully embrace DeBoer.

An emotional DeBoer responded by saying his guys are “unbelievable” and have been competing despite having their backs against the wall.

“It’s been a long road, but we get to continue on, and I cannot wait to go do it more with them here next weekend,” DeBoer said.

On Sunday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, DeBoer was asked to elaborate on that moment.

“Ty was a part of that,” DeBoer said. “He kinda walked up, and just looking at that guy, knowing how important it is to him, and you know, he’s just one piece of what I think of when I think about our team. Guys who make a commitment to each other, to myself and our staff, to this program, and commitment is something that has to be supported by action. The action that these guys have had, it goes back to the beginning of the year. Just the way they’ve stayed the course and been resilient and winning really ten of our last eleven games with eyeballs on them every single weekend kinda waiting for something. These guys just grind, and they are resilient. They are a really close group that truly believes. They don’t just hope they can find a way to win. They are going to go make it happen, and you can see again last night.

The Crimson Tide opened their season with an embarrassing loss at Florida State, generating a massive wave of criticism from the media, fans and former players. Rumors were being started about players staying up late and getting food delivered to the team hotel or sneaking girls into their rooms, but DeBoer has gone on record to state that there was nothing true about those claims.

The game that showed the world that Alabama was getting back on track happened a few months ago against Georgia, the team Alabama is preparing to play this upcoming weekend. The Crimson Tide showed resilience, a word DeBoer has firmly used over the last few days. The character of this Alabama football team is notable, and it is why DeBoer got choked up after winning the Iron Bowl Saturday night.

“These guys, I love what they stand for,” DeBoer said. “I love the character and who they are, not just on the football field but off the football field. These guys just give me everything they have. They give our staff everything they have and each other as well. And so, I’m proud to be their football coach. Love going to battle with these guys each and every week and just know every single day when I get on the football field what I’m going to get from them.”

Alabama will play Georgia for a second time this season as the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs are set to battle it out in Atlanta for the SEC Championship.