He is not exactly like Nick Saban, but Alabama fans saw a moment with Kalen DeBoer versus Georgia that made them proud.
DeBoer, who is normally an even-keeled head coach, got fiery with an official last week after a missed pass interference call.
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He jumped up and down, threw his play sheet on the ground, ripped off his headset, and gave the referee an earful. DeBoer showed in that moment the passion he has. The 49-year-old is not too much different from Saban. Crimson Tide nation enjoyed seeing DeBoer all into the action.
He earned his first marquee victory over Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, pulling out a 41-34 win on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
DeBoer knows there is more improvement needed, but he loves fighting for his team.
“You don’t predetermine what you are going to do,” DeBoer said about his fiery moment. “The guys are fighting and you see something a certain way. I just felt that was a big time in the game. We were doing a lot of things well and there were some opportunities we did not take advantage of. There were some missed opportunities we would have loved to have had, and I was just fighting for my team. I know they were out there fighting and doing everything they could. I loved the way we were playing up until that point, wanted to keep it going, and I saw it a certain way and wanted to make it known.”
The missed penalty called happened before halftime. Alabama forced a safety on defense to take a 30-7 lead, but DeBoer knew more opportunities at big plays were available.
He will learn from this moment and have the Tide rolling throughout the season.
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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.
