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Mar 21, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer gives directions during practice at the University Alabama Thursday. © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Can Kalen DeBoer Fill Nick Saban’s Shoes?

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Nolan Lackey | Last updated May 8, 2024 5:38 PM ET

By Nolan Lackey

Nick Saban’s retirement left many Alabama fans in shock, losing who most consider the greatest College Football Coach of all time. Alabama spent little time finding a coach, hiring former Washington coach Kalen Deboer just over two days after Saban’s retirement. The new coaching change leaves many wondering what the future of Alabama football will hold with their first coaching change since 2007.

Kalen DeBoers Prior Experience

Kalen DeBoer got his first chance as a head coach in 2020 when he was hired at Fresno State. In the shortened season, he led his team to a record of 3-3, and in 2021 an overall record of 10-3, winning the New Mexico Bowl. After transforming the program in just two seasons with the Bulldogs, Deboer was offered the Head Coach position at Washington, which he accepted and was hired on November 29, 2021.

With the Huskies, DeBoer led his team to an overall record of 11-2 beating Texas in the Alamo Bowl and finishing #8 in the final 2022-2023 AP Poll. He transformed this Washington team who had a 4-8 record in the previous season to their first 11-win season since making the College Football Playoff in 2016. For his work, DeBoer earned the honor of Pac-12 Coach of the Year in his first season in the Conference.

Going into the 2023-2024 season Washington had high expectations with Michael Penix Jr, Rome Odunze, and Dillon Johnson headlining the team filled with top talents. The Huskies did not disappoint, finishing the regular season with a 12-0 record and winning the PAC-12 Championship. They entered the College Football Playoffs as a #2 seed before coming up just short in the National Championship to a very talented Michigan team.

For this, DeBoer got lots of National recognition for the way he transformed the Huskies and gathered many accolades. He received Pac-12 Coach of the Year again and added multiple National Coach of the Year honors. At Washington, DeBoer transformed this program into a winning team in just two seasons.

What DeBoer's Team Will Look Like at Alabama

DeBoer now steps into the Alabama head coach job, looking to keep their winning ways. Saban’s departure caused many top players in Alabama to transfer and more recruits to decommit.

Despite this, DeBoer will still have a loaded Alabama team, led by star QB Jalen Milroe. Milroe led his team to the College Football Playoffs last season losing to Michigan in the semi-finals, and will hope to make it back this season. The standard at Alabama however, is to win the National Championship each season something Kalen DeBoer just missed the year prior with a less-talented team. In addition, DeBoer has yet to experience the intensity and competitiveness of the SEC, widely considered the top college football conference.

DeBoer has produced many NFL players, having 10 players drafted from the past season. Previously mentioned Penix Jr. and Odunze, alongside Troy Fautanu, were all 1st-round picks from this draft. However, all his previous success and accomplishments go out the window for this Alabama program expecting him to produce as soon as he steps on campus. DeBoer will have a tough task in replacing the greatness of Saban, but has the potential to turn into the next great coach of the historically dominant Alabama Crimson Tide.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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