CFB insider calls Alabama a "stepping stone" in Kalen DeBoer's career due to unmatchable Nick Saban success
Nick Saban is considered one of the greatest coaches of all time. After he announced his retirement on Jan. 11, there was a panic among Alabama fans on who would replace him owing to his 17-year-long success with the program. Under his tenure, the Crimson Tide won six national championships and nine SEC titles, while producing four Heisman Trophy winners.
The level of success that Nick Saban achieved at Alabama is a tough one to match, but many analysts and fans think Kalen DeBoer is the perfect guy for the job owing to his impressive 104-12 record as a head coach.
During the 2024 SEC media days, college football insider Mike Griffith weighed in on Kalen DeBoer's career trajectory and what might be in store for him in the future.
"I mean, there's been some speculation that this is a two or three year job, and then he's off to the NFL," Griffith said Saturday. "It's hard to imagine anyone sustaining success like Nick Saban. Seems like a thankless job, but it certainly would be a good stepping stone, just as it has been for many coordinators and assistant coaches.
"He's doing things different. We see a different Jalen Milroe, is that going to work out? Can you maintain without that, without those guardrails? I don't see discipline because I don't know that he has an issues with discipline. But just, it's a different. It's more of a feel good set-up."
Jalen Milroe lays out one major difference between Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer
Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban are certainly two different kinds of coaches. This is one of the things that Alabama players realized following coach Saban's exit from the program.
Nick Saban was known for his angry outbursts and disciplinary behavior. One of the examples of his passionate coaching style is when he went off on redshirt freshman AJ Mccarron for throwing an ill-advised pass during a matchup against Mississippi State.
When asked about the incident, Saban simply said he didn't think anything was wrong with the situation and that football is for "tough people."
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe shared a riveting story of one of the practice sessions under Kalen DeBoer that made him realize how different things are at Alabama following coach Saban's exit.
"It's funny because at practice," Milroe said. "I threw a really good ball, really good deep ball down the field, really good pass. And everyone was celebrating, I threw it, looking at the sideline for the next play, the next signal, and coach DeBoer comes to me like, 'Hey, what happened? I thought you'll celebrate and run down the field,' I said, 'Coach, I was worried about the next play.'"
Can DeBoer take Alabama to the College Football Playoff this season? Have your say in the comments below!