It's a new era at Alabama.
The Crimson Tide reportedly are expected to hire Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to succeed Nick Saban, who retired Wednesday after one of the most illustrious coaching careers in the history of North American sports. DeBoer comes to Alabama on the heels of a successful 2023 season with the Huskies, who he guided to the Pac-12 title, the Sugar Bowl and the national championship.
The hire is a bit outside the box, as the native of Milbank, S.D., has never coached south of the Mason-Dixon line. However, DeBoer's coaching chops are not in question, and his hire produced a wide variety of reactions from college football observers and fans.
Many recalled college football's last significant north-to-south coaching move.
The first thing I want to hear from Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is how he pronounces the word “family.”
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 12, 2024
Agent Jimmy Sexton received widespread praise for his shrewd handling of Saban's retirement.
Jimmy Sexton put on a masterclass this week.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) January 12, 2024
1. His client (Nick Saban) retires
2. He uses the Alabama job as leverage to get raises for his other clients (Dan Lanning, Mike Norvell & Steve Sarkisian)
3. He then places another client (Kalen DeBoer) at Alabama.
Textbook stuff. pic.twitter.com/r7hZkqjb2q
Some recalled DeBoer's meteoric rise from NAIA Sioux Falls, where he won a trio of national championships.
During Saban's first Bama national title, DeBoer was an NAIA coach. Let's see some NAIAs in the chat https://t.co/uYqfaTAimU
— Jason Kirk (buy my novel) (@JasonKirk_fyi) January 12, 2024
Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad expressed gratitude to his coach.
I want to thank Coach DeBoer and the entire coaching staff for welcoming me in with open arms. This year was special and I created memories with my brothers that will last a lifetime. I wish Coach DeBoer nothing but the best as he takes the next step in his journey!
— Jabbar Muhammad (@jabbar7_) January 12, 2024
Huskies observers were left to shake their heads in disbelief, with one noting the hilarity of perennially embattled men's basketball coach Mike Hopkins outlasting DeBoer.
Who would have thought that Mike Hopkins would outlast Kalen DeBoer at Washington
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) January 12, 2024
ESPN's Robert Griffin III heaped praise on DeBoer.
Kalen Deboer is a PHENOMENAL hire for Alabama. Every meeting I have ever walked out of with him I always said the same thing. That’s a Coach, I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY FOR. He gets it. His players give their all for him and he won’t try to be Nick Saban or anyone else but himself. pic.twitter.com/jGZQjftRrZ
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 12, 2024
Fans had some fun with the coach's presumed newness to the south.
Kalen DeBoer at breakfast next week pic.twitter.com/uMnY8a2u1r
— Hunter Johnson (@BurnerLJohnson) January 12, 2024
Though naturally skeptical as to whether DeBoer can replicate Saban's success, Crimson Tide fans appeared willing to give him a chance.
If Kalen DeBoer is good enough for Nicholas Lou Saban and Greg Byrne then he’s good enough for you
— Esther Scott Workman (@estherscott) January 12, 2024
