“Next Nick Saban” is a title that carries a lot of weight. And Kalen DeBoer would be, by far, the best candidate for it. That man has proved his dedication and skill with what he has done with Washington State, Sioux Falls, and Michael Penix Jr. However, taking up Crimson Tide and the legacy that Nick Saban has left behind brings out a hell lot of expectations from other people. Now on ESPN First Take, Stephen A. Smith goes deep regarding this. 

On July 22nd, Smith talked about how Georgia and Texas are right on the frontline and ready and what Kalen DeBoer has to establish. “He’s under immense pressure, but it’s not to win a championship this year, it’s to maintain an elevated level of relevancy that I would say college football playoffs. I understand that Georgia’s in there understand that Texas is in there I get all of that but damn it you succeeded, uh, you succeeded Nick Saban and you’re not some novice that’s being promoted and elevated now that your former head coach Nick Saban has stepped away. No, you are Kalen DeBoer,” Smith mentioned. Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkisian are all set for 2024 and even Nick Saban has outright said that he expects Longhorns and Bulldogs to meet at the SEC championship. Smith further went on to mention how everyone still wants Nick Saban back. “Paul Finebaum and everybody looking at you and they’re going like this damn we missed Nick. That’s what Kayin Deor has to establish,” he said. Now it’s up to Kalen DeBoer to fill that gap that Saban has left behind and take the Tides to the same level where Saban had taken them.

And doubting DeBoer’s ability to do exactly that would be criminal. Joel Klatt put it perfectly back on The Next Round, “Kalen is competitively proficient. This guy wins at an insanely high level everywhere. Alabama has the 2 best offensive lines in the country.” Taking a team that was more focused on defense, to transforming it into an offensive powerhouse is something only DeBoer is capable of. Hell, even Smith agrees with the fact that DeBoer is skilled enough. “Okay, look at look at this right here: Pac-12 Coach of the Year both seasons at Washington 25 and three in two seasons career percentage 90% of the G won 104 and 12 in nine seasons Washington Fresno State and the NAIA Sioux Falls,” Smith mentioned. Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer are different people. Their coaching style and their idea of discipline are different. Yes, there are a lot of expectations from Alabama and DeBoer this season, but what we have seen him do to the Tides in such a short time should be enough evidence that he’s the right man for the job. However, what will make this season more interesting is what Georgia and Texas are doing on the other side.

On the other side

Kirby Smart sits there with Carson Beck leading the charge and with a team style that takes directly from Nick Saban’s coaching playbook. Smart will be the biggest stepping stone for DeBoer in 2024. Also, a frontrunner for the “next Nick Saban” title, Kirby Smart has experienced firsthand what the Crimson Tide were capable of under Saban. Not only that, he also managed to win against the Tides back in the 2022 SEC Championship. He has the experience and the advantage.

While DeBoer has Milroe and a solid list of starters on the team with an overall increase of 70% in accuracy as well, will it be enough to break through the Bulldogs’ defense? Well, we will find out on September 29th, 2024.