Nick Saban Continues to Prove an Asset for Kalen DeBoer Despite Retirement as Alabama Eye Number 1 Spot

Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama football marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues to shape the Crimson Tide. DeBoer, who has a stellar track record at Washington and Fresno State, is now leveraging Saban’s established foundation to take Alabama to new heights.

With Alabama setting its sights on the number one spot, DeBoer’s out-of-the-box approach and strategic recruitment are key to their success. On June 25th, a discussion between Josh Newberg and Steve Wiltfong provide insights into how DeBoer is building on Saban’s legacy.

 Nick Saban’s influence on Kalen DeBoer’s recruitment

On the latest episode of the On3 Wiltfong Whiparound, host Josh Newberg and Steve Wiltfong, VP of Recruiting and Transfer Portal, delved into Alabama’s recruitment under Kalen DeBoer. Wiltfong noted, “They got a chance to finish number 1. This is a staff that is full of energy. It starts with Kalen DeBoer and what he’s done historically as a head football coach. Kids know they are going to play for a winner.” This statement highlights how DeBoer’s leadership is energizing the program the same way he did for Fresno State and Washington.

Furthermore, according to Wiltfong, “Nick Saban still has a presence around this college football program despite retirement.” And DeBoer knows this and has changed his style of recruitment based on it. The people in DeBoer’s team, including Courtney Morgan, previously the director of player personnel for Washington, and Eron Hodges, previously the assistant CBs coach and recruiting coordinator for TCU, are excellent at establishing relationships with the recruits, thus maintaining Alabama as the top choice for top talent.

The DeBoer’s strategy has also yielded impressive results in securing commitments from notable players. For instance, 5-star wide receiver Jalen Hale, who chose Alabama over other top programs, cited the program’s winning culture and the strong relationships built by the coaching staff as key factors in his decision. Additionally, 4-star linebacker Dawson Merritt, another significant addition, praised the program’s legacy and the personalized approach of the recruitment team. All of this success adds up to Deboer’s ultimate goal for Alabama.

Vision for Alabama

Kalen DeBoer explained during an interview on the Always College Football podcast that being the head coach at Alabama is his dream job. He said that he was an Alabama fan from the early 90s and credited the impact of Coach Gene Stallings and the energy he feels whenever he visits the state.

It’s clear that he can advance programs quickly, which is evident in his record of achievement. At Washington, he could take the struggling team to the top, making them achieve a 25-3 record in two seasons and reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship. This great transformation made him receive the Pac-12 Coach of the Year award for two successive years. Fresno State was also very successful for him, where he had a 37-9 record and proved his strategic and winning mentality.

The seamless mix of DeBoer’s dynamic leadership with the established reputation of Saban ensures that Alabama’s football program remains at the top of college sports​