Kalen DeBoer shares top priority after being named Alabama head coach

Kalen DeBoer had a long list of tasks to complete after being named the head coach at Alabama on Jan. 12.

The former Washington coach joined The Dan Patrick Show recently and shared his top priority after taking over the Crimson Tide program. According to DeBoer, it was trying to keep as much of the current Alabama roster intact as possible.

“Well, meeting with the team, and really trying to get in front of them. Just the craziness of college athletics, and particularly the portal, and just trying to make sure that they got a feel for who I was, in the moment, as soon as I landed, got in front of them,” Kalen DeBoer said.

“But the next four days or so trying to meet with them individually, in groups. You’re trying to build a staff at the same time and showing them the vision and feeling the personalities of those that will be coming into the program to coach them. So that balance right there kept me busy for those four or five days.”

DeBoer and Alabama ended up losing some talented players, such as safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin, but the Crimson Tide also held on to several playmakers. DeBoer shared his vision to the Alabama roster shortly after taking over and a large portion of the players bought in.

In addition to recruiting current players, DeBoer also got to work recruiting Alabama signees and targets for 2024, as well as for future recruiting classes.

“It’s kind of reaching out and getting to the recruiting, whether it’s guys that have signed and just trying to continue to impress on them their importance in our program. And I’m excited to have them joining us,” DeBoer said. “And of course the classes in the future, the 25s, the 26s and so forth.”

Jalen Milroe opens up on what Kalen DeBoer has brought to Alabama

One of the players who has bought in to Kalen DeBoer’s vision so far is starting quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Milroe shared what it’s been like working with DeBoer so far at his Youth Football Camp over the weekend in Hillcrest, Alabama.

“It’s been great. It’s been great to have him here with the transition, it’s been big having him here and all that he’s done,” Milroe said. “He’s very personable and he’s bringing good energy to the locker room, so we’re all excited to have him here.

“The biggest thing for a football team is you want to improve and get better the next season. So we’re in that process right now with trying to be the best version of ourselves each and every day we go into the facility. So we’re gonna do a lot of good things this year and I’m super excited to have him here.”