Explaining why there is 'a lot to be excited about' for Alabama under Kalen DeBoer

It’s still strange to see Kalen DeBoer roaming the Alabama sidelines instead of Nick Saban. However, just because the legendary Saban isn’t coaching the Crimson Tide anymore, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to be excited about in 2024.

Plenty of what there is to be excited about was on display during Alabama’s spring game, and On3’s JD PicKell broke it down during a recent appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show.

“With Alabama, I mean how weird was it to see Nick Saban not out there in his salmon suit, rolling around, yelling at guys,” PicKell said. “The Kalen DeBoer era is off and running. Jalen Milroe didn’t statistically give us a ton to look at from a box score standpoint, but I’ll tell you what, I think with him and this offense, the way they’re going to spread teams out and put them on their heels using tempo, I think he’s going to thrive. I understand Jayden Daniels’ situation last year, right? Night and day difference. I mean second year in the system, he had two first-round wide receivers running around out there for him.”

Kalen DeBoer is coming to Alabama from Washington, where he was the team’s head coach for two seasons. He also has experience as an offensive coordinator, and it’s that side of the ball that he’s been known for throughout his career.

At Alabama, DeBoer inherits Jalen Milroe at quarterback. The Crimson Tide’s success on offense will, in large part, come down to how they fit with one another this season.

“I think Jalen Milroe, if he’s able to fit into this offense and still able to utilize his legs the way Kalen DeBoer plans to utilize his legs, I think it’s going to be a really nice blend, which I wasn’t so sure about when we got the news he was coming over from Washington. You think about Michael Penix Jr. and how different a quarterback he is. So all-in-all, I thought Jalen Milroe, the flash plays you saw, got me really excited,” DeBoer said.

“And then also the running back room. They are legitimately three-deep at that position with Jam Miller, Justice Haynes, Richard Young. So all-in-all it’s really early. We’re just kind of taking a temperature of things here in spring. But nonetheless, a lot to be excited about in Tuscaloosa.”

With Spring ball in the rearview mirror, Kalen DeBoer and Alabama will now turn their attention to Fall camp and the regular season, and DeBoer will coach his first official game on August 31st against Western Kentucky.