Kalen DeBoer: Nick Saban has been 'so respectful' during transition

In two months, Kalen DeBoer will begin his first training camp as Alabama head coach. It will be the next step in a transition that started in January after Nick Saban announced his retirement after a decorated, 50-year coaching career.

Since taking over, DeBoer has been steadfast in his desire for Saban to stay around the program. He spoke multiple times about the value of having the greatest coach of all-time in his ear, especially since Saban has an office at Bryant Denny Stadium so he doesn’t have to go too far.

Through the offseason, DeBoer said Saban continues to epitomize class with how he handled the transition. But the new Crimson Tide coach makes it clear his predecessor is still welcome around the program because of the role he played in putting most of the roster together in the first place.

“He’s been amazing,” DeBoer told Jim Rome. “He’s just been so respectful in every way. I’m trying to continue to remind him that I’m great with him being around the program, that these guys are guys that he recruited, for the most part here. For them to see him, it still means a lot to them, as well.

“But he’s just been so respectful, trying to allow me to still make it mine. He’s just down the road, so I’ve been over there a couple times and of course, talked on the phone, as well. He’s just a great resource.”

Kalen DeBoer: ‘There’s some more questions I have’ for Nick Saban

Of course, even though he won’t be on the sidelines this season, Saban will still be very much around college football. He made his ESPN debut on College GameDay during the NFL Draft – drawing rave reviews for his performance – and will travel with the show each week.

But even with his TV duties, Saban is still going to be available if DeBoer has any questions or wants counsel. It sounds like some conversations will be coming up ahead of the season opener, too.

“I know there’s some more questions I have before the season kicks off and some things that you’ve got to be ready for as we go through the year,” DeBoer said. “But he’s just been amazing in all those ways.”

Despite some notable departures from the transfer portal, DeBoer has quite the group of players coming back in his first year at Alabama. The headliner, of course, is quarterback Jalen Milroe – who’s generating some early Heisman Trophy buzz after finding his stride during the 2023 season. The Crimson Tide will get the new era started Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky.