Kalen DeBoer addresses the role Nick Saban will play moving forward at Alabama
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban has said that he wants to stay around the Crimson Tide program moving forward, despite retiring on Jan. 10. New Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer made it clear on Saturday during his introductory press conference that he is just fine with that.
DeBoer shared that he wants Saban to regularly be around the program during the 2024 season and beyond.
“I’ve been in his ear a couple of times already here. … and 100 percent access to everything,” Kalen DeBoer said. “I would be a fool if that wasn’t the case. I would be a fool.”
Kalen DeBoer plans to communicate with Nick Saban on a regular basis and will implement whatever advice he is given.
“I’m going to ask him that he shows up and make sure he gives me at least one thing every day,” DeBoer said. “I’m sure he’s going to have 10, but I’m going to be good with that. But at least one thing that he sees that we can get better at.”
DeBoer will of course put his own spin on the Alabama program, but it makes sense to rely on a living legend like Saban.
The 72-year-old Saban won seven national titles and 11 SEC championships during his coaching career, with six national titles and 9 SEC titles coming during his time at Alabama. Even though he is retiring, Saban will continue to have an impact on the Alabama program with DeBoer in charge.
Nick Saban confirms he will maintain his presence at Alabama after retirement
Since 2007, Nick Saban has patrolled the Alabama sidelines, becoming one of the most legendary college coaches to ever step on the field in the process. Now, he’s walking away from the sport. However, that doesn’t mean that he won’t maintain his presence at Alabama.
Even the day after news of his retirement broke, Saban drove into the office at the same time as he normally does.
“I want to be there for the players, for the coaches, anything I can do to support them during this transition,” Saban told ESPN.
“There are a lot of things to clean up, to help as we move forward. I’m still going to have a presence here at the university in some form and trying to figure out all that and how it works. This is a place that will never be too far away from Miss Terry’s and my hearts.”