Amidst the hustle and bustle of unexpected departures and reunions, Kalen DeBoer, the man now at the helm of Alabama Football, knows all this too well. With his first offseason in Tuscaloosa already marked by key coaching staff changes—including losing a defensive assistant while reuniting with his trusted offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb—DeBoer has navigated the turbulence of the 9-4 season. In the middle of moving the pieces, assembling his Crimson Tide staff, there’s another story unfolding—something far more personal that would make him a proud daughter.

Soon after four days of luring back a familiar face of Grubb on Sunday. The Crimson Tide lost co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, Colin Hitschler to JMU, per 247Sports. Yet, life came full circle for Kalen DeBoer as his daughter, Alexis DeBoer, made headlines of her own. But it’s not just because of her softball debut with Washington, the very school her father left behind to take over the Alabama job in 2024. Instead, it’s her powerful stand off the field that has captured attention.

On National Wear Red Day, Alexis took to Instagram, not in Huskies’ purple or even Alabama crimson, but in a shade that symbolized something greater. “Join me in wearing red for National #WearRedDay to show your support for @americanheartWA in the fight against heart disease and stroke,” she posted, aligning herself with the American Heart Association in Washington and using her platform to raise awareness for a life-saving cause. Alabama softball opened its season Friday in Phoenix, Ariz. against Washington. The game had a great connection for Kalen DeBoer and his daughter also made her softball debut before raising awareness for heart diseases.

For those who have followed the DeBoer family’s journey, this moment speaks volumes about the values that extend beyond football fields and batting cages. Alexis, a right-handed baseman, signed with Washington in November 2023 after a standout high school career that saw her hit .683 with 14 home runs in her final season at Bellevue High School. Her recruitment to Washington had nothing to do with her father’s coaching tenure—reports indicate the Huskies pursued her long before Kalen DeBoer became Washington’s head coach in 2021.

In fact, the father and daughter duo visited the UW campus for a softball camp together just weeks before the football position even opened up. Now, as she steps onto the field for the Huskies, she carries not just the weight of expectation as a freshman but also a sense of purpose beyond the game.

Kalen DeBoer has always been vocal about his pride in Alexis’ journey. “So proud and excited for you @alexisdeboer22! Can’t wait to cheer you and your @UWSoftball teammates on!” he once wrote on social media, a message of support that now carries even more weight as he and his daughter represent two schools now seemingly on opposite ends of the college sports spectrum. Alabama and Washington are set to face off once again on the softball field Saturday morning in Phoenix.

The former Huskies coach will be on fatherly duties again, albeit from a different vantage point than his previous visits to Washington.

Was Kalen DeBoer in attendance to see daughter’s special moment?

It was a big day for Alexis DeBoer, stepping into the batter’s box for the Washington Huskies in their season opener at the Candrea Classic. But while the freshman slugger held her own, Alabama had other plans, kicking off their year with a solid 5-1 win. Leading up to the game, Alabama Softball head coach Patrick Murphy hinted at some special guests in attendance—none other than Kalen DeBoer and his wife, Nicole. “First game,” Murphy said earlier in the week. “They’re coming, mom and dad.”

The younger DeBoer, batting third in the lineup, managed to notch her first collegiate hit, going 1-for-3 on the day. In a game where hits were tough to come by for the Huskies, her sixth-inning single down the left field line was one of just four Washington could manage.

Meanwhile, Alabama’s ace pitcher Jocelyn Briski was dealing great damage to their rivals. She surrendered a solo shot to Washington’s Jadyn Glab in the first inning, but slammed the door shut after that, throwing a complete game and keeping the Huskies off the board the rest of the way. A bittersweet night for the Bama football coach indeed!