Kalen DeBoer explains how Alabama's culture under Nick Saban helped players buy into coaching transition

As Alabama gets into the heart of spring practice, players are beginning to get their first real taste of the Kalen DeBoer era. Or the post-Nick Saban era, however you want to slice it.

Things have been different, to say the least.

But DeBoer is confident in the direction things are going, in part because he feels like he’s got a pretty good handle on the players he’s working with. After all, Alabama didn’t suffer a mass exodus to the transfer portal following his hire, like several other programs experiencing a coaching change did.

So how exactly has DeBoer led such a smooth transition so far?

“I think it’s relationships. So a lot of just conversations and just poured into them right away,” DeBoer told the SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic at the team’s Pro Day on Wednesday. “Fortunately they’ve done the same and they believe in this place, they believe in what it stands for, they trusted that Greg Byrne would hire myself and/or other staff that would come in and we’d be able to keep the program moving in a great direction.”

No one will really know how successful the transition has been until Alabama starts playing games next fall. But for now, players and coaches alike are saying all the right things.

That’s better than the alternative.

“It’s been awesome just seeing these guys really stay the course and keep believing in the program but also buying into our coaching staff,” Kalen DeBoer said. “The first four practices has been nothing but high energy and intensity. They’ve been really productive.”

One reason DeBoer has likely had it easier than some other coaches making a transition is that the program didn’t dump its head coach for losing. DeBoer didn’t inherit a disgruntled locker room.

Instead, Alabama was one of the most successful programs in the country. And as an added bonus, the man who made that all possible remains in close proximity. Not overbearing proximity, but close enough to be able to lend a hand or a helpful ear if DeBoer calls on him.

That’s Nick Saban for you.

“Yeah I think coach has been nothing but a great resource. Every time I’ve needed or asked for something or given him a call he’s been right there,” DeBoer said. “He just wants to, I know in his heart, wants to see this program continue on and be even better than what it was. He’s left it in a great spot, not just with the players that are here on this staff or the players on this team, but just in general. Just the culture around the program and the buy-in from the fanbase.”

DeBoer will continue going about establishing his own identity with the program this spring. He has to get that firmly entrenched before the games are live.

But he’s also leaning into using every tool at his disposal, Saban included.

“It just, it’s someone you have to make sure you embrace because it’s a resource that we need to take advantage of,” Kalen DeBoer said. “He’s, like you said, been awesome as far as trying to let it be ours but also he’s obviously been an important part over many years of what this program’s been all about.”