Alabama's new doc "LANK" chronicles Nick Saban’s 'Rat Poison' legacy and Kalen DeBoer’s quest for national glory
New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has a tall order in 2024, having to live up to the legendary legacy of former coach Nick Saban. Ahead of the season, the school's athletic department on Monday announced a new documentary, "LANK," that will reflect on Saban's legacy and explore the program's future under DeBoer.
Central themes of the documentary will be Nick Saban's team culture and how players like Jalen Milroe have carried that legacy into Kalen DeBoer's handling of the program. Saban's mantra was summarized by the phrase "rat poison," which meant that no matter if the press was good or bad, players should focus solely on their jobs.
Alabama's Jalen Milroe will be front and center of "LANK," alongside Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer
Signal-caller Jalen Milroe will be a central part of the "LANK" documentary, according to sources at Alabama. This seems logical as LANK is an abbreviation of "Let All Naysayers Know," a phrase made famous by the quarterback and former cornerback Terrion Arnold in 2023.
The phrase embodied the spirit the Crimson Tide took in 2023 when, after the Week 2 defeat to Texas, many in the media previewed the demise of the SEC program. Here's how Milroe himself explained the meaning of the phrase:
“I think for us as a team, it’s all about setting short-term goals and long-term goals,” Milroe said on ESPN's 'Get Up.' “To achieve those goals, we have to take care of right now and push each other to be the best us each and every day so that we have an opportunity to grow as a football team.
“So that whenever the time comes to go and attack a day as far as preparation for our opponent, it’s all about the preparation in the offseason that’s going to catapult us to get there.
“But what a great opportunity to have a 12-team playoff to push us to be victorious in a sense. So it’s a great opportunity for a lot of teams to compete and have another opportunity.”
Nick Saban's Alabama managed to rally and ended the 2023 season winning the SEC championship in a thrilling game over then-undefeated Georgia. To the anger of many, this victory brought the Crimson Tide to the attention of the College Football Playoff committee, which selected them over the undefeated Florida State Seminoles.
The Crimson Tide lost to eventual national champions Michigan in the CFP semifinal, leading to Saban announcing his retirement barely a few days later.