“Stepping Into Saban’s Shadow: Kalen DeBoer’s High-Stakes Journey at Alabama”
DALLAS — In between Florida’s championship tenures of Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer was the Ron Zook period.
Doug Barfield had the unenviable task of succeeding Auburn’s Ralph “Shug” Jordan and preceding Pat Dye. Similarly, SEC newcomer Texas went through Fred Akers, David McWilliams, and John Mackovic after the legendary Darrell Royal before securing a championship with Mack Brown.
Following a legendary coach is a challenge that doesn’t always work out, though LSU had three consecutive coaches who won national championships.
Kalen DeBoer took the podium at SEC Media Days, prepared for the inevitable question he’s faced since taking the job: how to succeed as Alabama’s football coach after Nick Saban redefined the role.
“I understand there’s only one Coach Saban,” DeBoer said on July 17 at SEC Media Days. “I consider it a great honor to continue a proud tradition.”
Saban joined Alabama in 2007 with a title from LSU (2003) and a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins.
At Alabama, the legacy of Bear Bryant loomed large. Success required winning big, as Ray Perkins, Bill Curry, Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione, and Mike Shula learned following Gene Stallings. Saban, however, matched Bryant’s six national championships, cementing his place in Alabama’s history.
DeBoer understands the challenge of living up to Saban’s legacy. He has a strong coaching background, including three championships at NAIA Sioux Falls, a 9-3 record at Fresno State after COVID-2020, and leading Washington to the national championship game last year, finishing with a 25-3 record over two seasons.
Despite reports that DeBoer wasn’t the first choice for the job (which the athletic director denied), he focuses on winning each game, despite passing statues of five championship-winning coaches on his commute.
“He’s definitely the right guy for the job,” said offensive lineman Tyler Booker. “He understands he’s following the greatest coach of all time.”
DeBoer doesn’t dwell on Saban’s shadow. Saban, now a studio analyst, still has an office at Bryant-Denny Stadium but stays away from the program.
“He looks much more relaxed,” said Alabama safety Malachi Moore, a holdover from the Saban Era. “I told DeBoer the first night he arrived that I respect him for taking on this challenge.”
At Media Days, DeBoer faced the question: he could have continued winning at Washington but chose to take on this new role.