Kalen DeBoer Surpasses GOAT Nick Saban in Alabama Debut, Yet Fails to Create History

Kalen DeBoer is off to a better start in Alabama than GOAT Nick Saban! The retirement news shocked everyone and especially put DeBoer as a target to scrutinize. After all, the pressure and expectation are high when you’re stepping in as a replacement for a former HC who is leaving after winning the Crimson Tide six national championships. But DeBoer proved his capabilities. 

When Saban first came to Tuscaloosa as Alabama’s HC in 2007, he made his game debut in an incredible fashion. The Crimson Tide then played against Western Carolina and won the game, setting down a 52-6 record. After 16 years, a new HC has stepped in to break that record with a pristine one. However, despite the outstanding record, Alabama still has a very high standard that DeBoer couldn’t meet.

Kalen DeBoer showed his rookie HC power in Alabama at the season opener against Western Kentucky. In what is an easy win for Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide crushed their opponent in a blowout 63-0 record stamping their dominance over WKU. With this, DeBoer surpassed one record of Saban in Alabama. But still, it didn’t put him on the top of the game.

While Kalen DeBoer beat Saban in his debut game, he still couldn’t top the history. In Alabama’s first season game in 1951, the Crimson Tide beat Delta State 89-0, which is the third highest-scoring game in SEC history. Still, despite not topping that record, Alabama delivered an impressive performance under DeBoer’s first game. 

Alabama racks an A+ result in clash against WKU

Alabama displayed an A+ performance, putting up 21 points each in the first two quarters while adding 14 in the third. The offense led by QB Jalen Milroe with several elite players like freshman Ryan Williams and Jam Miller was formidable. The 21-year-old QB threw for 200 yards and three TDs, raising the expectations of him being a potential 2024 Heisman Trophy winner. 

In the first half, Nick Sheridan’s offense accomplished an incredible feat with the first two 80+ yards since 1991, when Miller secured an 85-yard TD run and Williams scored an 84-yard TD pass. Defense-wise is an A+ too. Safety Keon Sabb turned heads when he had two interceptions in the first quarter alone. As for coaching, DeBoer and his Washington staff triumphed, giving Alabama a bright and hopeful season in 2024. Will DeBoer be able to track this kind of impressive result in their next game against South Florida on September 8? Le us know what you think in the comments below.