Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer attends a high school football game for the first time after taking over from Nick Saban: Reports 

By Aman Sharma

Modified Sep 24, 2024 18:31 GMT

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In a notable move for Alabama football, coach Kalen DeBoer attended a high school game last Friday — his first since stepping into the role previously held by Nick Saban. DeBoer’s presence at the game also marked the first time an Alabama coach attended a high school contest in 13 years.

Kalen DeBoer was on hand to watch Alabama commit and 2025 five-star quarterback Keelon Russell as his team, Duncanville (Texas), convincingly defeated Waxahachie 42-17.

Russell had a standout performance as he completed 18-of-23 passes for 351 yards and six touchdowns. The game remained competitive for three quarters until Russell’s dominance ultimately sealed the win. However, late in the third quarter, he took a heavy hit and had to leave the game.

“I got hit and kind of got dizzy,” Russell said during a postgame interview. “It’s nothing serious.”

Despite the injury scare, Russell remained positive and highlighted the efforts of his teammates including wide receiver Dakorien Moore.

“I played real good,” Russell said. “It was just being poised, believing in my receivers. I knew they were going to do their job. [Moore] had a heck of a game. The dude is a baller.”

Russell is considered the Crimson Tide’s future QB after Jalen Milroe and he continues to impress in his senior season. Alabama holds the No. 2 recruiting class for 2025, with six five-star, eleven four-star and two three-star recruits, per 247Sports. Alabama trails only Ohio State, with LSU, Georgia and Auburn rounding out the top five.

Milroe reflects on Kalen DeBoer’s coaching style ahead of Alabama's showdown with Georgia

Jalen Milroe spent three years with Nick Saban both as a starter and a backup. After Saban announced his retirement in January, Milroe was pursued by several highly-ranked college teams but he decided to stay with Alabama.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Claudette Montana for the "College Road Trip" series published on Tuesday, Milroe shared an experience from spring ball that gave him an insight into Kalen DeBoer’s coaching approach.

"I took a shot downfield and I completed it," Milroe said. "Everyone was happy, excited. It was a great play. Coach DeBoer pulled me aside and said, 'Is everything O.K.?'"

Milroe was puzzled at first by the question.

"[DeBoer] said, 'You made a really good pass there. You don't want to go celebrate?' I was like, 'Next play, coach. You talk about a 1–0 mentality, next play.' ... He's like, 'Nah, uh uh. I want you to celebrate those big plays.'"

"You made a really good play there. Celebrate those plays," said DeBoer. "There’s always joy being around him," Milroe added.

In Alabama's' first three games this season, Milroe has passed for 590 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions, and has a 213.4 passer rating.

On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will face a big test as they'll go up against the No. 2-ranked Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.