Kalen DeBoer is about to kick off a new era in Alabama. But it might not be as easy as it sounds. After all, Nick Saban has been running the show for a whopping 17 years.

But DeBoer seems ready to face the challenge. The new HC is starting strong with a fresh wave of energy and significant changes to his front office.

On August 25, the Alabama Crimson Tide YouTube channel released the first Kalen DeBoer Show episode. Host Chris Stewart first noticed the bright, newly designed office where DeBoer was sitting. The new Bama head coach has put his creative stamp on the space, giving it a relaxed, DeBoer vibe.

Now, DeBoer seems to understand the importance of first impressions, especially when it comes to recruits. He says, “There’s just certain things that you do, a lot of the functional things probably as much as anything. I know there’s a lot of aesthetics with it, but just the functional things I know work for me and have worked for me.” The office, with its football showcase, is more than just a pretty space—it’s a functional tool for “recruiting and the personal day-to-day stuff.” Well, DeBoer’s approach isn’t too different from Saban’s. 

The GOAT coach also used his office as a key recruiting tool. However, with DeBoer’s new renovations, it seems like Saban’s tactics might be a thing of the past. Some old recruits might even notice a big prop missing from the picture!

Kalen DeBoer’s new recruits might miss Nick Saban’s touch

For Nick Saban, every detail is part of his recruiting strategy. Building a nearly two-decade-old legacy with 9 conference titles and 6 championships isn’t easy, and he’s right to showcase those achievements. Anyone who’s stepped into Saban’s old office at the Alabama facility can’t miss the framed images of Crimson Tide victories lining the entrance wall. These championship moments are the main “functional thing” for visitors.

Forbes notes the welcoming symbols and props that greet recruits when entering his space. A comfy sofa and a coffee table create a “homey” feel—a vibe recruits often mention after visiting Alabama. But Saban, ever the strategist, knows this warm welcome is all part of his recruiting pitch. He says, “Every minute of every day you’re selling something. You’re either selling positive, or you’re selling negative.” It’s all positive for top-tier recruits, with a strong sense of winning in the air.

Even recruits to Saban’s home are also treated with nostalgia. At his home’s entrance is a grand old piano, a decades-old splurge he and his wife Terry took years to pay off. It’s a powerful symbol of how Saban rose from humble beginnings. While Kalen DeBoer’s new design may be stylish, it looks like it won’t capture that same nostalgic charm.