Former Alabama QB clears up major misconception about Crimson Tide HC Kalen DeBoer
After watching Nick Saban regularly chew out players, coaches, fans, media, or whoever else didn't do their job in a particular moment, for over 15 years in Tuscaloosa, it's somewhat understandable that some Alabama Crimson Tide fans are wondering if new head coach Kalen DeBoer is intense enough. While there's no doubt that DeBoer isn't […]
After watching Nick Saban regularly chew out players, coaches, fans, media, or whoever else didn't do their job in a particular moment, for over 15 years in Tuscaloosa, it's somewhat understandable that some Alabama Crimson Tide fans are wondering if new head coach Kalen DeBoer is intense enough.
While there's no doubt that DeBoer isn't chewing out everyone in sight the same way that Saban did for years, it doesn't necessarily mean that the first year Bama head coach is "soft".
In fact, former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy thinks nothing could be further from the truth.
"A lot of people have said Kalen DeBoer, he's not a guy that's going to get in faces," said McElroy. "That is just completely inaccurate. And all I have to do is point to one example. Kalen DeBoer called a timeout late in the game (against Missouri) to preserve a shutout. They have a sideline just go absolutely berserk after they stop Missouri on the fourth and goal. And then a little later in the game, the second string offense is on the field. It looks like they're getting ready to run the clock. Well, DeBoer saw something from one of his offensive linemen that he didn't love, and he absolutely wore him out during a timeout.
"That, I think, is also something that people need to make note of. Kalen DeBoer is coaching hard. Just because he's got a little bit more of an approachable demeanor in the press conferences, doesn't mean he's not a guy that will absolutely get after you — both on the field and behind closed doors."
I think McElroy is spot on. DeBoer didn't reach this level of coaching by being "soft". You don't compete for national championships at any program by being soft.
DeBoer, however, isn't Saban. And fans in Tuscaloosa not only need to realize that, but they need to embrace it. The only way that DeBoer is going to have success at Alabama is if he runs it his way. This idea that DeBoer should be compared to Saban, or do things the way Saban did, isn't fair to DeBoer or the program. In fact, it's a detriment to the program.
Alabama has a good coach in DeBoer. But they need to give him some time to settle in to life in the SEC. Otherwise, they risk running off a really good coach (and to what end….who would Alabama go hire that's a "sure thing"?).
Let DeBoer be DeBoer. It's the only way the program stands a chance with him at the helm.
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