Has he always been a passionate coach and we were just fed a misconception about him?
This is a question Alabama fans are beginning to ask themselves about Kalen DeBoer.
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He arrived at the University of Alabama back in January to be Nick Saban’s successor. DeBoer, 50, came over from the University of Washington as a relaxed, even-keeled, and calm head coach. He guided Washington to a Pac-12 Championship and advanced it to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2023. People did not see DeBoer get into a lot of players faces on the field and hold them accountable at Washington, so they figured it was a strong suit for him in coaching. Alabama fans grew accustomed to Saban chewing out players and coaches, barking at officials, and having a keen sense for details on the field.
Crimson Tide fans wondered if DeBoer has the same passion.
They received a pleasant surprised last week versus Missouri. DeBoer saw something from Alabama’s second-team offensive line that he did not like, and he went at a backup lineman — Roq Montgomery — as he came to the sideline. The Tide was not playing to it standard and DeBoer did not like it. He used Montgomery as an instrument to get his message to the rest of the team.
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DeBoer said Monday to reporters at the Monday Morning Quarterback event that it is important to play to the standard, regardless of whether you are a starter or a contributing player. Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback, debunked a significant misconception about DeBoer. He feels the head coach has always had passion, but fans finally saw it last week.
.@GregMcElroy debunks a myth about Kalen DeBoer 👀
“Just because he’s got a little bit more of an approachable demeanor in the press conferences doesn’t mean he’s not a guy who will absolutely get after you.”#RollTide 🐘 pic.twitter.com/5CzBoL1SNW
— Always College Football (@AlwaysCFB) October 28, 2024
“A lot of people have said, well, Kalen DeBoer, he is not a guy that’s going to get into people’s faces,” McElroy said on his Always College Football podcast. “That is completely inaccurate. And all I have to do is point to one example. Kalen DeBoer called a timeout late in the game to preserve a shutout. They have the sideline go absolutely berserk after they stop Missouri on fourth and goal, and then a little later in the game, the second string offense is on the field. Looks like they are getting ready to run the clock … well DeBoer saw something from one of his offensive linemen that he did not love, and he absolutely wore him out during a timeout. That I think is also something that people need to make a note of. Kalen DeBoer is coaching hard. Just because he’s got a little bit more of an approachable demeanor in the press conferences does not mean he is not a guy that will absolutely get after you, both on the field and behind closed doors.”
DeBoer is balancing the art of being a coach that players love, but also holding players accountable.
He intends on having Alabama ready to go next week against LSU on the road.
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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.
