KALEN DEBOER HONORED TO FOLLOW A LEGEND AS ALABAMA’S 28TH HEAD COACH

New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer addressed Alabama fans and the nation as head coach for the first time Saturday at Bryant Denny Stadium.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands of Alabama fans welcomed DeBoer and family at the Tuscaloosa National Airport Friday night at 8:45 when their flight from Seattle landed.

After a few handshakes and greetings from the crowds at the airport, DeBoer hopped into Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne’s car and headed to the Mal Moore Practice Facility on UA’s campus. There, DeBoer met with the 2024 Alabama football team to introduce himself and his vision and begin the offseason.

Saturday was DeBoer’s turn to address Alabama fans in front of cameras at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

After some opening remarks from university president Stuart Bell, athletic director Greg Byrne, and DeBoer himself, he turned his attention to how he would treat his new job. DeBoer was quick to thank family, friends, and colleagues, but he also thanked Nick Saban for the help he’s given him in the past few days.

“Most programs don’t even have one legend (…) Alabama could have more than two (Bryant and Saban),” DeBoer said. “Coach Saban, we talked for the first time yesterday and I can just feel in his voice (…) this place is special and it’s special to him. “Coach Saban made sure the program was in a great place for the next person to take over. He’s the best to ever do it.”

DeBoer spoke of the aforementioned team meeting Friday night and how important it was to listen to the players talk about what makes Alabama so special.

“They came here because Coach Saban and Ms. Terry poured everything into them. They saw the vision,” DeBoer said. “I 100% believe he wants nothing but the best (…) he wants this thing to be even better.”

When discussing the meeting, DeBoer was impressed with the players he met and talked with, especially the group of leaders on the team.

“I saw a team that’s stuck together, put yourself in those guys’ shoes (…) I can’t tell you how much I appreciate those guys (team). It’s been a blast getting to know them even over only a few hours.”

Many around the country questioned the decision for DeBoer to leave Washington after taking them to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship game.

“There are a lot of really obvious answers. The tradition of winning is second to none (…) I cannot wait to uphold that,” DeBoer said. “Our goals are to win the SEC and National Championship (…) we’re gonna do that with class and integrity.”

DeBoer spoke of the impressive culture Saban has built over the years at Alabama. Instead of destroying that and starting from scratch, DeBoer plans to add on and expand that brotherhood.

“We already have a contagious culture. I cannot wait to add to that. You can feel it through a TV screen (…) I want them to win badly for you (Alabama fans),” DeBoer said.