The offseason has been filled with comparisons of the new Alabama football coach to the former one.
Kalen DeBoer took on a colossal challenge when he decided to become the guy to replace Nick Saban. The legendary Alabama football coach decided to retire in January after 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, creating the opening for DeBoer.
Ever since, there’s been no shortage of discussion about how DeBoer does things compared to how Saban did them.
That discussion continued Wednesday in Dallas at SEC Media Days as DeBoer stepped to the podium. He was asked for the similarities he sees between him and his predecessor.
DeBoer pointed to what he has heard from his players.
“I know Coach Saban just poured into these guys,” DeBoer said. “He loved them. He believed in them. He pushed them to be their best.”
DeBoer recognizes there are differences between he and Saban, but there are plenty of similarities too.
“But in the end, the most important things, I think a lot of those are probably pretty similar more than they’re different,” DeBoer said. “Pouring into the guys and helping them and pushing them to be at their best, holding them accountable and expecting a high level of discipline while also trying to build a brotherhood and a family that exists through great team chemistry to be great on the football field when it matters most.”