Alabama players saw another big difference between Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban after Wednesday’s practice.
The new era for Crimson Tide football has music, morning practices, DeBoer moving to every position group, and sweet treat motivation to get through the heat. Alabama had its media viewing period indoors, but players and coaches worked outside too.
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Reporters spoke to offensive coaches and players, but a unique sound got everyone’s attention.
An ice cream truck came to the practice facility, and the players had fun with it. Germie Bernard, a transfer wide receiver from Washington, knows DeBoer’s system, but he also knows how much the 49-year-old cares about his players.
The Las Vegas (Nev.) native said he loves ice cream, regardless of not having a favorite flavor.
“I be switching it up,” Bernard said.
Bernard mentioned to reporters that this kind of care from DeBoer stems back to his time with the Huskies.
“Back at Washington, we had ice cream trucks, food trucks, all kinds of trucks,” he said.
“He [Coach DeBoer] is bringing some of that here, and it’s great. You see how much they pour into us, how much they care for us, and making sure our bodies are good off the field. They also reward us for how hard we work on the field.”
DeBoer is doing things his way in Tuscaloosa (Ala.), and the team likes it.
Alabama is becoming a player-led team and a family unit during preseason practice.
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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.
