Kalen DeBoer on defining success at Alabama: 'You can't put it on wins'

Kalen DeBoer decided to take on one of the most pressurized positions in all of sports this offseason, when he made the leap from the Washington Huskies to become the head man of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

DeBoer is well aware of what he’s getting into and seems to have the seems to have the proper mindset to maximize his team’s chances for success.

In his interview on Next Up with Adam Breneman this week, DeBoer explained that he can’t put everything into just wins and losses.

Kalen DeBoer on expectations

How exactly will he and his team define a successful season in his first year at the helm?

“Especially the first year, at Fresno State, at Washington, at here, I’ve been asked that question a lot. Especially the last, probably, couple of months. And you know, you can’t put it on wins. Because one thing I want to make sure we also do is everyone, 10’s not enough, 11’s not enough, 12s, conference championship. Whatever,” DeBoer began.

“But I also don’t want to undersell. And I just simply go back to Washington which was coming off a 4-8 season. If I’d said nine wins was a success, I’d be selling that team short. And so, to me, it’s about what’s that mindset look like every single day when they walk into the facility,” DeBoer continued.

He’s very clear on his vision for how it wants his Alabama team to look on the field this fall and beyond.

“And is it just attacking. Is it just relentless and what’s it look like when we’re on the football field playing. Is every single guy on the team pursuing the ball carrier defensively? Is there excitement when big plays are made? And the one guy that scores, yes, he’s getting a lot of attention. But he’s going to his teammates. Everyone else is running to him and they’re happy for the efforts that it all took to get that player in the endzone,” the Alabama head man continued.

The former Washington head coach wants to create a positive attitude in his locker room in Tuscaloosa.

“And so, to me, it’s something that you feel. We talk about creating an attitude. Not installing an attitude. We have cool blitzes, schemes, and plays. But we gotta create an attitude just by what we do and how we do it. So, I’m not gonna put wins on it. To me, it’s just something you just feel and you can do it every day. I hope our fans feel it externally right now. But really can see it when we get on the football field each and every Saturday this fall,” DeBoer finished.

On Saturday, August 31st, the Alabama Crimson Tide will kick off their 2024 campaign against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Kickoff for that one is set for 7:00 PM EST.