Since the season started, Kalen DeBoer has been in the spotlight. He has seen the good and the bad this season. This Saturday, they played a crucial game against Missouri and registered their sixth victory of the season. Indeed, it was an important win for the team! A defeat would have put a full stop to their hopes for a college football playoff spot. With two losses this season, they are already in danger as the remainder of their schedule looks challenging.

Filling Nick Saban’s big shoes wasn’t easy. Since the announcement of the move, the new head coach experts, media outlets, and insiders have been punching down on him. In the recent game, he again showed his potential and strategy when the team needed it the most in the final quarter. Even popular head coach Deion Sanders had some difficulties when he was in the same spot. 

DeBoer did shut the critics and showcased a different side of his coaching style. While Alabama was leading, DeBoer called a timeout late in the fourth quarter specifically to preserve a shutout. The former player Greg McElroy highlighted DeBoer’s bold move, “The one other thing I want to bring attention to in this game. A lot of people have said, well, Kalin Deboer, he’s not a guy that’s going to get in people’s faces. That is just completely in action. And all I have to do is point to one example. Kalen DeBoer called the timeout late in the game to preserve a shutout. They have a sideline just go absolute berserk after they stopped Missouri on the fourth and goal, and then a little later in the game, the second string off-field looks like they’re getting ready to run the clock.”

In addition to applause for DeBoer’s reply, McElroy has something else to say about the situation. “Well, DeBoer saw something from one of his offensive linemen that he didn’t love, and he absolutely wore him out during a timeout that I think is also something that people need to make note of.” It is not only about his strategic thinking but also his willingness to hold players accountable, reinforcing that he is indeed engaged and passionate about his team’s performance.

The Colorado Buffaloes were in the same spot a few weeks ago. They were leading against their rival, Colorado State, but everyone questioned Coach Prime’s decision after the game. The Buffs were leading 28-9 and only 10 minutes were remaining on the board. What do you expect them to do here? However, Sanders did not do that and the Buffs ran 13 combined plays out of which eight of them were passing plays. Yes! Having QB in the game till the last minute was a big question. However, his throwing the ball and joining the offensive late in the game raised many more questions.

Coming back to Greg’s statement, he appreciated DeBoer and backed his leadership qualities: “Like Kalen DeBoer is coaching hard, just because he’s got a little bit more of an approachable demeanor in the press conferences doesn’t mean he’s not a guy that will absolutely get after you both on the field and behind closed doors.” DeBoer isn’t known for his presence on Alabama’s football sidelines. However, he has shown a glance at his other side in the recent game and highlighted a more intense side of DeBoer. Will we get to see more of this side of DeBoer? It screams that no one should take him lightly.

Kalen DeBoer focuses on discipline and composure on the field

So far, all of us have seen a calm side of DeBoer; till now he has not shown his frustration towards his players. He is seen putting the referees under the bus and backing his players. However, this Saturday we saw many sides of DeBoer. On the ABC broadcast channel, he was seen giving a loud talk to reserve offensive lineman Roq Montgomery.

Reflecting on the importance of maintaining composure and high standards for his team, regardless of the situation on the field. The head coach stated, “Just things that are happening that you just want to be better. Just moments that we were going through and I just felt like there were some things we could do better with how we were handling and being composed.”

CFB is heating up and fans can feel DeBoer’s aggression. This approach reflects DeBoer’s commitment to building a disciplined and focused team culture. DeBoer highlighted that every player from him is equal: “And that’s just the expectation for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the field for the first time at the end of the game, up or down, We’ve been emphasizing doing things the right way and playing to the standard.” Currently, Alabama is enjoying their bye week before they face LSU on 9th November. DeBoer and his team will try to carry forward the momentum and start where they left off this week.