Alabama football has an offensive-minded head coach that actually enjoys watching the defense.
Kalen DeBoer made his rounds to every defensive position meeting in the 4th Quarter Program, and he’s been checking the defense out early in spring practice for the Crimson Tide.
The 49-year-old wants to build a complete team that is intentional in attacking on both sides of the ball. He is interested in knowing what defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, and his defensive assistants are thinking on every play.
Nick Saban was highly respected in 17 seasons at Alabama, but the defensive players are loving the attention DeBoer is bringing to them.
A few players spoke on Wednesday, including Tim Smith, Tim Kennan III, Malachi Moore, and Quandarrius Robinson, about how the transition to DeBoer from Saban has been smooth.
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Smith, a fifth-year defensive lineman, said he loves how DeBoer is not just focused on one side of the ball.
“It means a lot to us,” Smith said about DeBoer spending time with Alabama’s defensive players.
“To see that he is an offensive head coach, but you are paying attention to how I’m working and you are acknowledging that as well… so, that gives the players security and understanding to know that I’m not being overlooked. I like it, I love it, and it hypes the guys up to see your head coach. When you see him, it’s like ‘aye, I’m going to turn up and do this drill a little harder.’ So, it is a good thing. I like it.”
Robinson, a fifth-year outside linebacker, said it ‘has been great getting to know Coach DeBoer.’
“Coach DeBoer is a very cool guy,” he said.
Robinson shared Smith’s thought on how it’s a good thing to see DeBoer take interest in defensive meetings.
“For sure,” Robinson said about the excitement he has to see DeBoer be in defensive meetings. “I think it says a lot. It shows that he knows and cares about what is going on in other meeting rooms.”
Things have been good for the Tide under DeBoer so far.
RELATED: WATCH: Stephen’s Report – Breakdown of Alabama’s first media viewing of spring practice
Alabama will have 12 practices left in the spring after Friday — including the annual A-Day Game on Saturday, April 13 at 3 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
