It was always going to be a tough spot for new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Not only was he replacing a living legend in Nick Saban, but he had to contend with the uncertainty of Saban’s old players and recruits leaving Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened in DeBoer’s first week as head coach. Several top recruits and players left, including superstar safety Caleb Downs
Its not as if DeBoer was surprised by the turnover, though. In fact, he recently told Dan Patrick that his first few days as head coach were spent simply getting front of Saban’s old team in order to assure them that they were still in good hands.
“Just the craziness of college athletics, and particularly the portal, and just trying to make sure that they got a feel for who I was,” DeBoer said (h/t On3). “in the moment, as soon as I landed, got in front of them.”
But the next four days or so trying to meet with them individually, in groups. You’re trying to build a staff at the same time and showing them the vision and feeling the personalities of those that will be coming into the program to coach them,” he continued. “So that balance right there kept me busy for those four or five days.”
It’s worth noting that at least one player has been impressed with his new head coach’s ability to transition during this crazy time in Tuscaloosa. Arguably, it’s the most important player that he retained, too, especially if the Crimson Tide want to be College Football Playoff contenders in DeBoer’s first season.
“It’s been great. It’s been great to have him here with the transition, it’s been big having him here and all that he’s done,” quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “He’s very personable and he’s bringing good energy to the locker room, so we’re all excited to have him here.
DeBoer brings instant credibility with him thanks to Washington’s CFP run last season, but he’s going to have to keep up that energy and excitement at Alabama because he won’t get a ton of wiggle room in the post-Saban era.
He’s been busy, but he needs to stay busy.
