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For the first time since 2007, a new head coach will be patrolling the sidelines in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Kalen DeBoer steps in after having success at every level and every stop in his coaching history. Can he keep the Crimson Tide's winning ways going? DeBoer met the media at his first Southeastern Conference Media Days.
On Jalen Milroe
Milroe is dynamic and could be a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy this year; he can put pressure on a defense with his legs and arm. DeBoer was asked about his quarterback and had this to say: "But then we've got to talk about what he does on the football field. He's got a skill set that is special. With his arm, he can make you pay ... and I think he's continued to grow in that area, building confidence in himself, just tirelessly working with the receiving corps, actually all the skill players, just to be on the same page."
DeBoer added, "I think he's continued to expand on his game with the different throws he can make. Down the field, he's been strong. A year ago he was one of the best in the country with down-the-field throws. I think he's continued to work on those higher percentage throws that you need to move the chains and all of that."
On the Alabama Standard
The Crimson Tide have developed a certain standard that is expected not only by their fan base but also across the college football landscape. DeBoer was asked about learning the Alabama Standard from Tide players like linebacker Deontae Lawson. DeBoer responded by saying, "I actually took notes, and I still am taking notes. These guys have been here longer than I have. Sometimes, there's a saying [that] you don't know what you don't know, and I'm just trying to take it all in."
The coach continued, "We want to do things—of course, I want to do things the way I've done them in some aspects, but embracing what is important to this program, the traditions that have happened over many years."
On Following a Legend
DeBoer took the coaching job at Alabama on the heels of one of the greatest of all time, Nick Saban. The old saying goes you never want to be the guy after a legend leaves, you want to follow that guy. DeBoer was asked what family and friends told him in regard to following Saban. He replied," It was just more about ... understanding that coaching football is coaching football to some aspect, and you've got to try and simplify it down, as difficult and as complicated as you make it. I've done this for enough years and seen what good culture looks like and maybe even what a culture needs to improve on looks like, and it's just been an awesome blessing to be part of this program and to continue to have that expectation on us."
On Recruiting the Southeast
The Crimson Tide are a national brand, and in the football talent-heavy southeastern parts of the country, Alabama is known for getting the top talent. Some have said DeBoer wouldn't be able to recruit in the South. The latest recruiting rankings tell a different story. DeBoer was asked about being a great recruiter and had this to say, "I knew it was important for me to put the right people around me. As much as I can preach relationships and getting to know guys and feel like there's a way that I can get guys to feel that this is a program they want to be a part of, I understand that there's got to be familiarity with a region.
There's got to be some familiarity with coaches to be able to get started and get off to a fast jump there, especially in these early months, because you're behind when you come in and it's the middle of January and you haven't even put a staff together, and all of a sudden it's the end of January and you've got a week or two to hit the road. This is the last time you can be on the road other than a little time in May, and by that time the official visits are all set up for June. We were behind."
Wrapping up Media Day
DeBoer is saying and doing all the right things to show he is capable of replacing Saban. In two weeks, DeBoer and his staff will hit the practice field and prepare for what will be one of the most entertaining college football seasons ever, with new conference opponents and an expanded 12-team playoff.
The talent Alabama possesses was on full display last year with Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker and one of the best defensive players in the country, Malachi Moore. It will probably upset fans outside of the Capstone, but Alabama is going to continue to be in the conversation for conference and national championships for the foreseeable future.
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