For the first time in 18 years, Alabama fans are seeing a new face after Nick Saban retired. Filling his shoes has been the biggest problem for the new head coach, Kalen DeBoer. For the 2024 season, Alabama is holding 5-2. That’s not the Alabama we are used to seeing. Since 2008, the team has lost multiple regular season games only thrice (2010, 2019, and 2022). In fact, this is the earliest in a season they have lost multiple games since Nick Saban’s first season in 2007.

With this, people have been doubting the new HC’s abilities. But the Team reporter for Touchdown Alabama, Brody Smoot, pointed out a couple of things. 

On X, he shared, “For the people who want to doubt Alabama and speak negatively about the program, I want you to remember something. Kalen DeBoer is not the only head coach to inherit a solid roster and lose two games in his first year as head coach.”

In the X thread, he provided examples of Dan Lanning (University of Oregon), Kirby Smart (University of Georgia), and Steve Sarkisian (University of Texas). Besides Smoot, Nick Saban’s daughter also came forward, supporting the crimson tide.

Alabama’s legendary head coach, Nick Saban’s daughter, Kristen Saban, would often share glimpses of her father as a coach and even now, after his retirement. However, it made her sad that Alabama’s fanbase didn’t have faith in their team. Annoyed by this, she shared a sarcastic reel on her Instagram stories, criticizing the fans.

The reel read, “Me looking at all the Bama bandwagon fans crash out after 2 losses.”

Kristen went further and wrote, “Wouldn’t be the first time either.” 

Being the daughter of Alabama’s previous coach, she must have also gone through the same experience. No wonder she joked about those fans who support the team when they’re thriving with success, and now that they lost two games in the season, they suddenly started calling out the coaching staff. That’s not what true fans do! That being said, even Nick Saban faced something similar.

Nick Saban once faced the same fate as Kalen DeBoer

When Alabama lost to Vandy a few weeks ago, fans were heartbroken and now with Alabama’s fresh 17-24 loss to Tennessee, people are saying wild things. However, it’s not a new thing, especially for Bama Bandwagon fans, to behave like this.

Now some of those are saying that Alabama’s loss against Tennessee looked a lot like their 49-52 loss to the Vols at Neyland Stadium in 2022. And who was the head coach then? Saban! In fact, fans were also calling out Saban for an undisciplined team through the 2022 season. And Kalen DeBoer seems to be facing a similar situation currently.

However, do you know what Nick Saban has to say about Alabama’s 2 losses this season? “The most important thing that all of us can do as fans for Alabama is to be supportive.”

“Support the program, support the players, support the coaches. That will enhance us to be able to have the best solution and transition, because it’s always a difficult transition when you have a fairly successful program.”

“Stay focused on what you have to do and try to make the team better. I’m not going to get in a position to judge anybody. I’m a fan now. I want the team to do well, and I want our fans to support the team the best they can,” he stated.

Besides that, we all know what DeBoer is doing is a hard job. Maybe fans could be a bit sympathetic. Along with that, the coaching staff and players both need to take accountability for the current situation.

What do you think they need to change? Let us know in the comments below.