Kalen DeBoer reveals the key to hitting the ground running at Alabama

Alabama hired Kalen DeBoer with the mindset that he will uphold the standard Nick Saban set in Tuscaloosa across nearly two decades as the program’s head coach.

DeBoer’s first orders of business were to manage his roster and fill out his coaching staff. Now, the 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide roster and coaching staff have been finalized. Heading into the late stages of the offseason, DeBoer feels as though this group embodies what it means to wear the crimson and white.

“I think it goes back, again, to Coach [Nick] Saban and a lot of the things that were instilled in the guys in this program,” DeBoer said during SEC Media Days on Wednesday. “There’s a deep belief. Guys like Jalen Milroe, Malachi Moore, Tyler Booker, they’re the epitome of guys that believe in themselves, believe in the guys that are here, want this program to continue to be on the greatness and trajectory it’s been on for many years.

“Coach [Saban] has instilled that culture of excellence, of high expectations but also, more importantly, what it takes to get there. The work is the work. These guys have been putting in the work on another level.”

Having locker room leaders who know what it means to be an Alabama football player like Milroe, Moore and Booker stay with the program through such a massive coaching change speaks volumes to their leadership abilities and loyalty to the program. In the age of the transfer portal and NIL, all three had the option enter the portal and it’s likely they would have had their pick of the litter in that regard. Instead, they bought into DeBoer and his vision for the program moving forward and chose to remain in Tuscaloosa for at least another year.

Those playing for DeBoer in 2024 are well aware of the success that he enjoyed at Washington, turning the Huskies from a middle-of-the-road Pac-12 program to a national championship contender seemingly overnight. Boasting a 104-12 record as a head coach at all levels coming into the job, similar win totals are expected as he takes over the program in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama’s efforts begin on Aug. 31 during tune-up match against Western Kentucky inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide’s first test against a power conference opponent comes in the form of the Wisconsin Badgers during Week 3, which is followed by Week 4’s headline battle against Georgia at home.