Deontae Lawson shares biggest difference between Kalen DeBoer, Nick Saban
By Derek Hryn
Published:
Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson offered some honest insight this week when asked about the biggest difference between Kalen DeBoer and the legendary Nick Saban.
According to AL.com’s Michael Casagrande, Lawson didn’t hold back in explaining how the tone and the energy inside the Alabama program have shifted since DeBoer took over in January.
“Nah, they’re, they’re extremely different,” Lawson said. “I mean, you got Coach Saban, who is just so detail-oriented and he just demands excellence from everyone around him. Coaches, players, it doesn’t matter who it is.”
“And, Coach DeBoer is also detail-oriented and demands excellence. But you’re able to, I feel like, be yourself. I feel like with Coach Saban, you know who he is — his figure. So, it kind of makes you tense up or something like that. For freshmen coming in, that wouldn’t be a good thing because you’re trying to do everything perfect and it end up to him having to chew you out.”
Lawson’s comments reflect what many inside the building have hinted at this offseason: DeBoer isn’t trying to be Saban — and that might be what makes him fit in so well.
DeBoer, who went 25–3 in two seasons at Washington, is known for building player relationships and fostering open communication. That contrast in approach could help younger players ease into a system that’s still learning to stand without its 6-time national champion head coach.
