SECMD24: DeBoer is fully in charge and ready to go at Alabama

Kalen DeBoer speaks to the media during Wednesday’s session of SEC Media Days in Dallas. (Courtesy Southeastern Conference)

By GRAHAM DUNN

DALLAS - Despite the rumors, Coach Nick Saban is not still coaching at Alabama.

Alabama’s current recruiting class has been off the charts… just like they were when Saban was in charge. Rumors have circulated that Saban has worked with the new Crimson Tide defensive coaches, particularly the secondary.

None of it is true. But there has bee some communication between old and new.

“I have not set foot in the (football) complex since I left,” Saban said. “There have been coaches to visit my office and I’m ready to help when needed but Coach has been doing his work.”

While Saban admits he has tried to stay clear of the new regime from Kaleb DeBoer and the new staff, the calls do come frequently. DeBoer may have the toughest job in college football history following in the footsteps of what might be the greatest head coach in history.

Yes, tougher than Ray Perkins following Paul “Bear” Bryant. Tougher than Ron Zook following Steve Spurrier at Florida. Tougher than W.H. Britton, John Barnhill and Harvey Robinson, who all followed Robert Neyland’s three retirements at Tennessee.

But DeBoer has been intentional in stating he is not shying away from from Saban’s help as well as the veterans on the Bama roster.

“I understand there's only one Coach Saban,” DeBoer said. “There will only ever be one Coach Saban. This program is special, and I guess I just take it as a great honor to be the one that gets to do everything we can to carry on the great tradition.

“So much blood, sweat and tears, whether it's the players and the alumni that have been in this program or coaches, and obviously referring to Coach Saban, so much is put into this place. We all have alma maters. We all have places that we have great pride in, and you always want that to be home. We always want to make those people proud of their alma mater and the work that's been put in to set this program up for success.But for me personally, it was just more about just understanding that coaching football is coaching football to some aspect, and you've got to try to simplify it down, as difficult and as complicated as you can make it. I've done this for enough years and seen what good culture looks like and maybe even what a culture that needs to improve on looks like, and it's been just an awesome blessing to be a part of this program, to continue to have that expectation on us.”

The players are learning a new staff, new system and what to expect heading into the season.

“Coach Saban and Coach DeBoer, they have two different coaching styles,” stated defensive back Malachi Moore. “Both of them work and are very effective but, like I said, they have two different ways of going about it and Coach DeBoer is more of a player-led type of coach. He kind of lets his players take over and lead a team. When he has things to say he definitely voices his opinion and let it be known and things on his mind.”

DeBoer is leaning on the players and doesn’t mind asking questions.

“I actually took notes, and I still am taking notes,” he said. “These guys have been here longer than I have. Sometimes, there's a saying you don't know what you don't know, and I'm just trying to take it all in.

“We want to do things -- of course I want to do things the way I've done them in some aspects, but embracing what is important to this program, the traditions that have happened over many years. But I think just when it really comes down to this team, it's about the work that we're doing right now, and listening to them and hearing them out, I think that's the best thing you can do when you come in as a new coach is kind of meet them in the middle. We've worked together, and they understand that I want this team to be a team that ultimately is player led.”

While comparisons are expected, it’s difficult to ignore what DeBoer has done in his short career of nine years as a head coach. He’s won 107 of 119 games, a .899 winning percentage. He’s won national titles, leading Sioux Falls to three in NAIA in five years. In his second season at Washington, he had the Huskies in the College Football Playoffs, falling to Michigan in championship game.

While the losses are few, DeBoer remembers all of them.

“It drives you nuts and it’s the ones you relive,” he said. “I remember all of the 12 losses. I can remember the point differential. I remember the key moments. But you can’t think in that way. You don’t anticipate losing. It’s your ability to respond and that’s what matters.”

While he stated when he was first announced as Alabama’s new head coach, he quickly realized that failure is not an option. To no one’s surprise, he has created the idea that his expectations matches those of the program.

“I should never be surprised at the things that great programs do and have and the culture that exists,” he said. “But what really has been awesome to see, and again, this isn't necessarily a surprise, but it's been awesome just to see our guys be completely 100 percent focused on the main things. Their chemistry and their trust and belief is one thing, but I think -- and the accountability, as well. But I think that the way they respect each other, you can see it in spring ball.

“As much as I try to do a great job of laying out the tempos of practice and how we need to be aggressive and play the game the way it needs to be played, but also we've got to protect each other. We need each other. I know I needed to say those things and I wanted to say those things and it's important to me, but I think they understood that.”