Kalen DeBoer, the head coach of Alabama football, is taking on a scenario that is unlike any other. He has to take over a storied programme, succeed where he left off, and replace one of the greatest coaches in history.
DeBoer led Washington to the national championship game the previous season, but they were unsuccessful in winning it. He enjoyed a string of excellent, noteworthy victories along the way.
Under Nick Saban, Alabama supporters have become accustomed to one thing: victory.
Saban has guided the Alabama programme to innumerable victories, some of which aren’t even measurable, both on the recruiting trail and on the playing field. It is DeBoer’s responsibility to not only preserve what Saban started, but to make it even better.
According to a recent ranking by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, DeBoer is the coach who has the most to prove before the 2024 season begins.
“This categorization is a little unjust, but then again, so are Alabama’s expectations following Nick Saban’s historic tenure. DeBoer just led Washington to the national title game in just his second year, two seasons after the club finished 4-8. DeBoer might be given a pass if the College Football Playoff continued to consist of four teams and he missed them during a transition year. However, Alabama anticipates competing in the 12-team field each year, so if DeBoer is unsuccessful, the pressure and Saban comparisons in Tuscaloosa will be unbearable.
DeBoer is obviously aware of and grateful for the unique situation he finds himself in. But it all depends on how he handles it. Regretfully, we won’t know the solution to that until the 2024 season officially begins.
The Alabama football season will be covered by Roll Tide Wire through the 2024 offseason.
