TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 26: .Alabama Crimson Tide's head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on from his sideline during the third quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)
As the 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide football team prepares for the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan on New Year’s Eve, all eyes are on new head coach Kalen DeBoer, who is taking the reins after Nick Saban’s retirement. While Saban’s shadow looms large over the program, DeBoer is tasked with guiding the Crimson Tide through a pivotal postseason matchup. However, Saban’s absence from the football sidelines in the run-up to the bowl game has drawn attention, particularly given his long-standing legacy at Alabama.
On Sunday, December 29, Saban was spotted in the stands at Coleman Coliseum, supporting Nate Oats and the Alabama basketball team in their 105-82 victory over South Dakota State. This marked the conclusion of the team’s non-conference schedule as they prepared to enter SEC play. For Alabama fans, Saban’s presence at the basketball game raised questions about his role in the football program, especially as the ReliaQuest Bowl looms just days away. Saban, who has been a fixture in Alabama football for over a decade, was not with DeBoer and the football coaching staff in Tampa, Florida, as they prepped for the game.
As The Tuscaloosa News’ Emilee Smarr pointed out, it was a bit unusual to see Saban at a basketball game just days before one of the biggest football matchups of the season, especially considering Tampa is much closer to his residence in Jupiter, Florida, than to Tuscaloosa. Given that Saban is no stranger to being a guiding force for the football program, many wondered why he wasn’t there alongside Kalen DeBoer as the team geared up for the bowl game.
The answer lies in Saban’s relationship with Nate Oats, the head coach of the Alabama basketball team, who has a longstanding friendship with Saban. This bond explains why Saban was in attendance at the basketball game to support Oats and his team. Saban has been vocal about his admiration for Oats and his program, and his presence was a clear indication of that support.
However, for Alabama football fans, Saban’s absence from the football team’s bowl preparations might raise concerns. Alabama football’s 9-3 record in the 2024 season was not up to the high standards that fans have come to expect under Saban’s leadership, especially considering the losses to teams like Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. With the program in transition, fans are eager to see how DeBoer handles this crucial postseason game. Many of them miss Saban’s presence and the stability he provided, not just in wins but in his leadership and influence over the program.
Saban’s Transition and Support for DeBoer
Despite his absence from the ReliaQuest Bowl preparations, Saban has made it clear that he trusts Kalen DeBoer and is fully supportive of his efforts to lead Alabama. In a conversation on The Pat McAfee Show in October, Saban acknowledged that the transition from him to DeBoer was not an easy one. He emphasized that DeBoer needed to make the program his own, rather than trying to replicate Saban’s methods or approach.
Saban expressed understanding of the difficulties DeBoer might face, noting that taking over a successful program like Alabama comes with its own set of challenges. “Any time you take over a successful program, I don’t want to be judgmental about what they do, because I feel like he has to do what he does his way,” Saban explained. “He can’t be me. He can’t try to be somebody that he isn’t.”
This sentiment shows Saban’s belief that while his time at Alabama was undeniably successful, there is more than one way to build a championship-winning program. He further praised DeBoer, noting his success in coaching and his system, which Saban believes will work in time. “I think it’s an adjustment for a lot of fans and the people. But I think he’ll win them over because he’s a good guy and he’s a good coach. He’s got a good system, a good organization,” said Saban.
In short, while Saban is not actively involved in the game preparations, he is making a conscious effort to step back and allow DeBoer to take full control. Saban’s support is evident, but he is letting DeBoer find his own way and implement his vision for the team without interference.
DeBoer’s Opportunity for Redemption
For Kalen DeBoer, this bowl game represents an important opportunity to establish his legitimacy as Alabama’s head coach. While he inherited a program that has been dominated by Saban’s influence for years, DeBoer must now demonstrate that he can lead the team to success, starting with the ReliaQuest Bowl against a Michigan team that is vastly different from the one that defeated Alabama in last season’s Rose Bowl.
Last year’s Rose Bowl was a tough loss for Alabama, and DeBoer’s first real test as head coach will be against Michigan’s much-changed roster. The Wolverines have lost key players to the NFL Draft and have been dealing with their own coaching changes. If DeBoer can rally the team to victory and get revenge on Michigan, it would provide a huge boost to both his credibility and the morale of the Crimson Tide faithful. The ReliaQuest Bowl could be the first step toward DeBoer winning over fans who are still mourning the departure of Saban and his unprecedented success at the helm.
Although DeBoer faces significant challenges, he has the potential to build goodwill with a win in the bowl game. A victory would allow Alabama to finish the season on a high note, despite an up-and-down regular season. It would also provide DeBoer with the confidence and momentum needed to continue shaping his tenure at Alabama, something that Saban himself believes is crucial for success.
The Road Ahead for Alabama Football
While Saban’s absence from the ReliaQuest Bowl preparations may be surprising to some, it’s a sign of his respect for DeBoer’s authority and his understanding of the challenges that come with taking over a successful program. For DeBoer, the road ahead is filled with high expectations, and the ReliaQuest Bowl offers an early opportunity to show that he can succeed in a post-Saban era. Alabama fans will be watching closely to see how their new coach handles the pressures of a bowl game and whether he can lead the team to a much-needed victory against Michigan.
Ultimately, Saban’s support for DeBoer is the key factor in this transition. By stepping back and allowing DeBoer to run the program his way, Saban has shown that he trusts his successor to uphold the program’s legacy while forging his own path. For Alabama football, this season-ending game may be just the beginning of a new chapter, and the outcome of the ReliaQuest Bowl could set the tone for the future under DeBoer’s leadership.
