It was all the time going to be a troublesome spot for brand spanking new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Not solely was he changing a residing legend in Nick Saban, however he needed to cope with the uncertainty of Saban’s outdated gamers and recruits leaving Tuscaloosa. Sadly, that is precisely what occurred in DeBoer’s first week as head coach. A number of high recruits and gamers left, together with famous person security Caleb Downs
Its not as if DeBoer was stunned by the turnover, although. In actual fact, he just lately told Dan Patrick that his first few days as head coach had been spent merely getting entrance of Saban’s outdated staff to be able to guarantee them that they had been nonetheless in good arms.
“Simply the craziness of school athletics, and notably the portal, and simply making an attempt to ensure that they acquired a really feel for who I used to be,” DeBoer stated (h/t On3). “within the second, as quickly as I landed, acquired in entrance of them.”
However the subsequent 4 days or so making an attempt to satisfy with them individually, in teams. You’re making an attempt to construct a workers on the similar time and exhibiting them the imaginative and prescient and feeling the personalities of those who will likely be coming into this system to teach them,” he continued. “In order that stability proper there saved me busy for these 4 or 5 days.”
It is price noting that at the very least one participant has been impressed together with his new head coach’s potential to transition throughout this loopy time in Tuscaloosa. Arguably, it is crucial participant that he retained, too, particularly if the Crimson Tide wish to be Faculty Soccer Playoff contenders in DeBoer’s first season.
“It’s been nice. It’s been nice to have him right here with the transition, it’s been huge having him right here and all that he’s performed,” quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “He’s very personable and he’s bringing good vitality to the locker room, so we’re all excited to have him right here.
DeBoer brings immediate credibility with him due to Washington’s CFP run final season, however he will should sustain that vitality and pleasure at Alabama as a result of he will not get a ton of wiggle room within the post-Saban period.
He is been busy, however he wants to remain busy.