Kalen DeBoer on Nate Oats' success: 'He's done some great work here'

When it comes to college football, it’s hard to debate that there’s been a coach who’s harder to replace than Nick Saban at Alabama. A challenge that new Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is currently taking on following Saban’s retirement in January. Tasked with following in the footsteps of a man who’s brought the program six national championship wins and nine SEC titles.

But for the first time in a long time, Alabama’s basketball team is also raising the expectations in Tuscaloosa after making it to the Final Four last season for the first time in program history.

DeBoer recently joined The Next Round and was asked what the last television show he watched from start to finish was. Struggling to find an answer but revealing his support for the Crimson Tide basketball team in the process.

“I know that should be really easy, but I mean the thing I’ve watched start to finish that I can think of right now would have been the Final Four game,” DeBoer admitted. “That’s not a TV show, but I did. I made sure I got a point to sit down.”

DeBoer clearly isn’t an avid television watcher, but has already done his part in cheering on other programs at Alabama early in his tenure. Also asked how much fun it was to watch Oats and his squad compete on college basketball’s biggest stage.

“I loved it, and I just got a chance to sit with him yesterday for a few minutes and he’s busy too,” DeBoer revealed. “But that’s a blast when you see these guys coming together and he’s done some great work here. Asked him a couple questions about things.”

Oats and DeBoer spending some time together represents two coaches at the very top of their games respectively at the college level. With DeBoer boasting a career 104–12 head coaching record fresh off of a national championship appearance while Oats has led Alabama to two regular season and conference tournament titles and two Sweet 16 appearances along with last year’s Final Four in just five seasons at the helm.

“I know he’s learned a lot from Coach Saban in his time and becoming a better coach and it was fun picking his brain on a few things,” DeBoer said. “Whether it was about the institution or just how he goes about his days and things like that.”

There’s no doubt that there is plenty of head coaching greatness lingering around Tuscaloosa, as DeBoer will look to uphold the lofty standards that have been set for the Crimson Tide this upcoming season.