DeBoer reflects on his journey to becoming a ‘high-level’ coach

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

Kalen DeBoer is in his second season as head coach of the Crimson Tide, and he’s soon going to lead Alabama into the Rose Bowl against a No. 1-ranked Indiana, which is the current favorite to win the game.

Although he’s had his struggles, this is what his career has led him to. He’s a head coach who’s been built to lead a top team in the country and win championships.

It all started at the University of Sioux Falls, until he finally got his next head coaching job at Fresno State, which led him to Washington and then ultimately to Tuscaloosa.

In that time, he’s won three championships at the NAIA level, taken Washington to the national championship and led some of the best offenses in the country.

He’s had his struggles, that’s true, but he also has a history of success. While speaking to reporters on Monday, he talked about what’s prepared him to coach at the highest level.

“I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” DeBoer said. “I think there’s things that you do that give you an appreciation for the moment you’re in. Having an opportunity to be here at Alabama. But I also think there’s moments that you go through, with the playoffs the way they are, us having to go four rounds, been through that many, many years, whether it was as an assistant or as a head coach, going back to Sioux Falls day. And then I think building a staff and having the network and the contacts has helped me surround people with a lot of knowledge, but also the right type of people to help lead you, especially in today’s day and age of college football and building a team. I think all of it goes into just being built for these moments that come. But I’ve been really blessed to be around a lot of great coaches who have mentored me along the way, that I’ve taken things from to be able to be successful in the moments that we’re in now.”

After two regular-season losses and a 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game, there was plenty of controversy when it was announced Alabama made the playoffs.

However, when Alabama took the field in Norman on Friday and beat the Sooners by 10 in the second matchup of the season between the two, DeBoer proved that he and the Tide deserve to be where they are. He’ll look to do so again on Jan. 1 when the Tide faces Indiana.