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Kalen DeBoer details first conversation with Nick Saban after taking Alabama job
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Kalen DeBoer went on the Paul Finebaum show on Friday and discussed a myriad of topics as he finished up his first week as the Tide’s head coach.
Finebaum asked DeBoer about his initial conversation with outgoing head coach Nick Saban. DeBoer said Saban was “humble” on the call and referenced his approach to trying to build on what coach Bear Bryant built at Alabama during his era.
“I actually called him right when I was taking the job,” DeBoer said. “It was just really cool hearing how humble he was and talking about even coach Bryant and how he was trying to build on top of that. You could certainly tell that he just wants this program to continue to take the steps forward and that’s what the great opportunity is for us — to build on the foundation that he’s left. And he’s left a great foundation. Not just with the players in this program, but everything that’s been built up to support them.”
DeBoer also said he plans to continue to lean on Saban for wisdom when he’s available over the coming months.
“I always want to make sure he knows he’s welcome here,” DeBoer said. “He’s always going to be a critical, critical piece of this program’s history and tradition. I’m going to make sure he gives me one or two tips or pointers every time he comes on the practice field to watch us. I’d be pretty foolish not to have a legendary coach like coach Saban here helping us with whatever he’s got.”
Here’s video of DeBoer’s comments on Finebaum’s show:
Alabama Head Coach @KalenDeBoer shares about his first conversation with Nick Saban after accepting his new job @AlabamaFTBL.
"I always want to make sure he knows he's welcome here." pic.twitter.com/yDaAJqdjcG
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) January 19, 2024
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Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
