5 reasons Alabama fans should be excited about newly hired, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer
With coaching changes, there is always a wave of mixed reactions. Some fans will accept the changes being made. Others will show pity and feel like the wrong decision was made. That is perfectly OK. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Alabama fans have been steadfast supporters of the program, especially over the past 17 years.
On Friday afternoon, the University of Alabama hired former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer to be the team’s next head coach, succeeding the greatest coach of all time, Nick Saban.
Roll Tide Wire breaks down five reasons Alabama fans should be excited about the newly hired Alabama head coach.
Proven success at multiple levels
You will not find a more proven coach that has seen success at multiple levels. Kalen DeBoer has found profound success at the Division 1 and Division II level.
As a head coach, DeBoer is 104-12. This means that DeBoer has won in over 89% of the games that he has served as head coach. There are not many coaches in the country who can say the same. Given his overwhelming wave of success, it should bode well at a successful program like Alabama.
Effective transfer portal recruiter
One of the duties that comes with being a modern-era college football head coach is having the ability to effectively recruit the transfer portal. During his time in Washington, DeBoer built his roster around transfer portal talent.
During the Huskies’ historic run, they were led by multiple transfers. Several of the notable ones on offense were Michael Penix Jr. (Indiana), Dillon Johnson (Mississippi State), Ja’Lynn Polk (Texas Tech), Germie Bernard (Michigan State) and Jabbar Muhammad (Oklahoma State). Each helped propel the Huskies program to new heights. Another interesting thing to note is that each created more value for themselves at Washington than anywhere else.
Success against proven coaches
One thing coach Saban was able to do was win against proven coaches. The same can be said for DeBoer. During his tenure as Washington’s head coach, DeBoer finished 3-0 record against Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. He was 2-0 against Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. With Texas headed to the SEC, that could be a good sign of what’s to come. DeBoer has proven he can knock off some of the top head coaches and football programs in college football.
Assembles strong coaching staffs
During his two seasons in Seattle, Kalen DeBoer established one of the best coaching staffs in college football. His offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb helped create one of the most fluent, productive offenses in the entire country. The Huskies’ Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk and Rome Odunze formed best wide receiver trio in the country.
That group was led by wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard. Both could be potential additions to the Alabama coaching staff. DeBoer has close relationships with members of the coaching staff. I would look for that to continue during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.
Plenty of resources to be successful as a coach and recruiter
Yes, Nick Saban is retired. Yes, he will no longer be a part of the Alabama coaching staff in any way, shape, form or fashion. However, he has made it clear he will still be involved in helping Alabama make the transition from him to DeBoer.
DeBoer will have the greatest mentor anyone could have by his side. He will also have one of the best athletic directors in the country, Greg Byrne. Both will ensure DeBoer is equipped with the resources to succeed. There is no doubt Alabama will be in good hands with Saban serving as a mentor and Byrne helping DeBoer become acclimated to the new environment that Tuscaloosa and the Alabama fan base will present.
