Kalen DeBoer becomes first Alabama football coach to ever post on social media

It’s a new era in Alabama, and play-calling won’t be the only difference. On Monday, Kalen DeBoer became the first Alabama Football head coach to ever post on social media.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban was notoriously old-school. He did not have social media and encouraged his players not to engage in discourse online. Before Saban took over in 2007, social media scarcely existed.

Nonetheless, DeBoer is bringing a modern energy to the program. In the fashion of a true leader, DeBoer’s first post as Alabama’s head coach wasn’t about himself.

Great work gentlemen! https://t.co/9QPYpY9gRq

— Kalen DeBoer (@KalenDeBoer) February 19, 2024

Greg Byrnes reveals the special qualities in Kalen DeBoer

It’s DeBoer’s selflessness that landed him the spot atop the most prestigious program in college football. In a recent interview on “The Game” with Ryan Fowler on WTBC/100.9 FM, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne revealed the special qualities DeBoer brings to the table.

“Coach DeBoer, I can tell already, is really smart,” Byrne said. “He’s very thoughtful. You know, sometimes in today’s world we all want instant answers and responses but in reality, he’s very thoughtful, already I can tell, in how he’s approaching the staff, how he’s approaching just managing the roster and connecting with the kids and I can tell you that that has gone very well. We’re pleased about that.”

Kalen DeBoer also shares those qualities with his predecessor, Saban, according to Byrne. The AD thinks the new football coach has a good shot at building a similarly strong culture as his predecessor.

“He surrounds himself with others who are really good coaches,” Byrne said. “But he also surrounds — I’m really impressed with what his culture has been in the past and then at Washington, Fresno and all the way back to his NAIA days, but also I can see that happening here. Coach Saban had an incredible culture in his program. And I think we have an opportunity to have a very good culture with coach DeBoer and his staff and what’s ahead for Alabama football.”

Ultimately, Byrne is excited to eventually see the product that DeBoer and Co. put out on the field in Tuscaloosa, even if it’s just Alabama-on-Alabama action during spring practice and on A Day.

“But to go from coach Saban, what he means to our university and college football and everything else in between today, this is a really challenging transition, but I’ve been extremely impressed with his approach from it from the second he’s gotten here and embracing our culture at Alabama, embracing coach Saban,” Byrne said. “And I think he’s done a really nice job with it and I’m excited to watch him get out on the practice field with the team here for spring ball, too.