He was in need of a head football coach for the University of Alabama after Nick Saban retired in January, but Greg Byrne got so much more.
The director of athletics for the Crimson Tide got Kalen DeBoer from Washington, but DeBoer brought two members from his coaching staff and had three of his players follow him to Alabama.
This stat proves Alabama’s secondary is emerging to be elite
Austin Mack, a true freshman quarterback, was one of the three athletes that followed his coach from the Huskies to the Tide. The California native stands at 6’6” and weighs 236 pounds. He is a talented passer that can also extend plays with his feet.
He was the backup to Michael Penix last year at Washington, helping the team to a Pac-12 Championship and advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. An injury to Penix would have forced Mack into action; however, watching Penix helped Mack make a decision to go to a place where could be the starter at some point.
He came into Alabama’s matchup against Mercer last week in the fourth quarter. Mack found freshman wide receiver Rico Scott for a 31-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone.
He has a lot of confidence in the Pennsylvania native at receiver, but Mack appreciates the opportunity he got to follow DeBoer to the Southeastern Conference. He talked about what led to his decision in an interview via Crimson Tide Sports Network.
Alabama DB coach gives insight on Crimson Tide’s secondary prepared to face two QBs versus Oklahoma
“It was the shortest long week of my life,” Mack said about making his decision to come to Alabama. “When DeBoer had announced he was going on like a Thursday, I was heading home because we had that break after the season. After that happened, I got home, had multiple conversations with my family, and it was like ‘we are going.’ I had never been to Alabama, I had never seen the campus, but it is what it is. I am going for DeBoer.”
Mack looked at his decision to come to Alabama as a ‘win-win’ situation for him.
“I know Alabama football is the greatest program of all time,” Mack said.
Alabama football prides itself on having an elite standard. No matter who the head coach is, the Crimson Tide won national titles under Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul Bryant, Gene Stallings, and Nick Saban. Mack is impressed by the Tide’s standard.
“Just the standard of everything,” Mack said about what stood out to him in arriving at Alabama. “Whether it was in the training room, how serious people take treatment, and the weight room with Coach Ballou. Just seeing how the standard is so high. It was really cool to see because Alabama has been on the top for so long, and now I see why.”
Mack is going to be good for the future of the program. The quarterback competing next spring will be fun with him, Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, and Keelon Russell.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
