Kalen DeBoer Era in Tuscaloosa

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Alabama football's new offensive staff

Latest changes

By Matt Stahl |

It's been a tumultuous offseason for Alabama football in general, but the offensive coaching staff has been particularly shaken. When Kalen DeBoer took over for Nick Saban, he initially brought offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb with him, along with offensive line coach Scott Huff.

Then, the NFL came calling. Both Grubb and Huff left for jobs with the Seattle Seahawks, prompting more shakeup in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer got back to work, finishing out his on-field staff for the 2024 campaign, barring further defections.

Nick Sheridan
After coming with DeBoer to serve as Alabama's tight ends coach, Sheridan got a promotion. After the departure of Grubb, the Crimson Tide announced he will be offensive coordinator for the 2024 season, as well as quarterbacks coach.

JaMarcus Shephard
Another coach who came over from Washington, Shephard also picked up a title change after Grubb left. He's now the wide receivers coach for the Tide, as well as assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator.

"I have a passion for coaching and developing our football players both on and off the field," Shephard said in the UA release.

Robert Gillespie
DeBoer hung on to two members of Nick Saban's coaching staff. One was Freddie Roach, who coaches the defensive line, the other is Gillespie, who is in charge of the Crimson Tide's running backs.

"After meeting both of these guys, it was very clear to me that keeping Freddie and G as part of the staff was going to be important to our success," DeBoer said

Chris Kapilovic
With Huff's departure, DeBoer needed to fill the offensive line coach role. He looked to Chris Kapilovic, who joined up after a brief tenure at Baylor.

The school hasn't made the hire official yet. However, Kapilovic updated his social media with his new position

Bryan Ellis
With Sheridan's move up to offensive coordinator, DeBoer moved to fill the tight ends coach job. He found his man at Georgia Southern, where Ellis had been working as the Eagles' offensive coordinator.

Like Kapilovic, the Crimson Tide hasn't announced the hire yet, but Ellis changed his social media bio and handle

Ellis might be familiar to fans around Alabama, having played quarterback at UAB

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First and 10: There's still 1 big thing college football needs to borrow from the NFL
Matt Hayes |

Kalen DeBoer's track record
If Alabama is going to survive the transition from the greatest coach in college football history to Kalen DeBoer, it's going to be because of DeBoer's track record of developing quarterbacks.

Beyond his work as an NCAA lower divisions star and successful FBS assistant, look at DeBoer's quarterbacks at his 2 previous FBS head coaching jobs at Fresno State and Washington.

Especially against SEC competition.

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Kalen DeBoer getting on Alabama media's good side

Spring practice changes

Andrew Olson | 

Kalen DeBoer is starting things off on the right foot with the Alabama media.

UA football is getting ready for its first spring session of DeBoer's tenure. The new Crimson Tide head coach announced that media access will operate differently than in years past with Nick Saban. DeBoer is making Alabama assistant coaches available to speak to the media and will give the press some access to the 15 spring practices.

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Kalen DeBoer explains why he doesn't curse

by:
Dan Morrison
•

However, one head coach who does what he can to avoid it is the new Alabama head coach, Kalen DeBoer.

While making an appearance on The Next Round, DeBoer explained:

"To me, there's a fire don't get me wrong," Kalen DeBoer said. "There's a fire and there's a competitiveness that the guys see. I think they see that already in the workouts and they feel that in how we meet in team meetings and the standard that exists, it's still the same standard, it's just messaged a different way I think.

"I just feel like you are who you are. For me, finding ways to positively reinforce. Obviously, there's a piece like you were bringing up, there's a discipline in the moment, or things like that. That still happens," DeBoer said. "But how do you message that and how do you deliver? How do you work together with these guys for the players to understand that, hey, I'm fighting the same fight you are, I want the same things you want? We all want individually and for our team to be great. That just comes through, continuing to be there, to support them, and help get them corrected.

"We talk about our coaches' jobs are to teach, critique, and demand. So, we're teaching, we're being critical of them, and we're demanding excellence and demanding as much close to perfection as we can," DeBoer said. "Their [the players'] jobs are to grind, refine, and compete. So, the guys are grinding, they're refining their skills, and they're competing to be the best they can."

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Bama football finalizes Kalen DeBoer's 1st coaching staff

3 hires

By Matt Stahl |

Chris Kapilovic will coach the offensive line, after Scott Huff, who had initially taken the job, followed Ryan Grubb to the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Christian Robinson will take over outside linebackers, while Bryan Ellis will coach tight ends.

"We were able to also secure three of the finest coaches in the nation to finish out our staff with the hiring of Bryan Ellis, Chris Kapilovic and Christian Robinson," DeBoer said in a press release. ...

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Goodman: Will Saban come back for us when DeBoer fails  

New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer left Washington for the Crimson Tide back in January. He's got a strong reputation for being an excellent coach. The Huskies went 14-1 in 2023, losing only to Michigan in the national championship game. There isn't a hotter coach in the country. It's a new era for the Crimson Tide, and while DeBoer is apparently leaning on Saban for advice, Alabama's new coach is smart to do things his own way from the start.

What does that mean for spring practice? We're about to find out. Here's what we know already. Saban's one-voice policy with the media is out. Players, assistant coaches and staffers are free to speak with reporters with Alabama's new coach in charge. That's obviously good news for the beat reporters who cover the team on a daily basis, and I'm happy for them and fans.

More access means a better appreciation for players and coaches. Still, some people are concerned with the drastic changes.

I remember when Ray Perkins took over for Coach Paul Bryant. One of the first things he did was remove the tower. I felt, at the time, it was disrespectful. Now Coach DeBoer is undoing some of Coach Saban's tried-and-tested practices of closed practices and assistant coaches not talking to the media. Not the same thing, I know, but when you are following a very successful person into their position, it would seem prudent to me to examine why they had that in place at all.

 I can't think of two more polar opposite coaching personalities than Perkins and DeBoer, so that seems like an advantage for Alabama's new coach from the very beginning. While a good coach, Perkins was known to be a prickly pear and was wound pretty tight.

If after two years or so, things do not work out at Alabama with the new coach as hoped, do you envision a scenario where Nick Saban gets bored, being on ESPN and playing golf, etc., and decides to return to coaching back at the Capstone, or is he gone once and for all?

As a journalist, it's in my nature to never rule anything out. I've seen enough buzz-beaters in my career to know that the game is never over. As for Saban's career as a coach? Let's just say I'm not expecting a 4th and 31-type comeback. The bigger question here is why doubt the current coach from the beginning?

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O'Gara: Things Kalen DeBoer might do differently than Nick Saban

It's a new era in Tuscaloosa. A very new era.

Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban run a different ship. That much, we already know. In his 17 seasons on the job, Saban famously never allowed media access to practice or assistants. DeBoer already offered media access to practice and assistants.

What else will DeBoer do that Saban never did

1. Make a single comparison
True story: The first question I ever asked Saban was a comparison question. Don't ask me what it was about because the second he started with "I don't do comparisons," I blacked out and kicked myself for the rest of the day after committing a cardinal Saban sin.

He might not be pulling out comps like Bill Simmons, but I can't imagine that DeBoer will be as anti-comp as Saban was. Nobody is.

2. Win 15 games in a season
People forget that Saban never accomplished that feat.

3. Have a full cycle recruiting class that ranks outside of the top 5
Saban, of course, never had a class rank worse than No. 5. That includes the 2024 class.

4A. Have a scoring defense that ranks outside of the top 30
Think about this: In 17 seasons, Saban's defenses always ranked in the top 30.

4B. Not have a first-team All-SEC defender
That doesn't get talked about enough. Alabama had a first-team All-SEC defender at season's end in every year of the Saban era. How much of that was just because of his reputation?

5A. Take the podium with a Pepsi bottle
Nah. Just kidding.

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How Alabama players are adjusting to practice, other changes

By Matt Stahl |

The change to Alabama football practice was obvious the moment media members walked through the door for the first observation at Mal Moore:

As players ran through drills, a cluster of speakers on the concrete near the field blasted out British DJ Endor's remix of Danzel's "Pump It Up!"

That's a big change under new Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. Under Nick Saban, who retired in January, players were listening to either piped-in crowd noise, or the ambient sounds of Tuscaloosa.

"A lot of people liked when he mentioned about playing music during practice," running back Jam Miller said. "It's a good thing."

The playlist ranged from early 2000s hip-hop, to more recent rap from the likes of Drake and Kodak Black, to Morgan Wallen's manufactured pop country. Miller said he wasn't given input into the soundtrack, noting that it fades into the background as practice goes on.

Alabama wideout Kendrick Law said having music playing helped keep focus on the practice:

"I think the music, it kind of takes you mind away from when you do mess up," Law said. "It's kind of like, 'OK, next play, let's go.'"

The music isn't the only thing new under DeBoer. Players have to figure out the logistics of practice in a way they never had to under Saban.

There's new drills, and new locations for them. Alabama is also down a practice field, with one of them currently under construction, separated from the rest of the facility by a green fence.

Players said the new practices have been high-energy. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has been incorporating his "accountability circles" for his unit, tracking "loafs" and having players watch their teammates do up-downs to keep them moving fast.

Milroe said the new staff has been packing more into each practice session.

"There's more periods that go on," Milroe said.

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Breaking down how Kalen DeBoer's offensive lines

Will differ from Saban's

by:
Barkley Truax
•

Alabama is getting a complete makeover under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. He's know for his high-flying, fast-paced tempo that was showcased at Washington in recent years — that philosophy has made its way to Tuscaloosa.

BamaOnLine publisher Tim Watts has noticed some clear differences between DeBoer's philosophy and that of longtime head coach Nick Saban.

"With Kalen DeBoer, it's more about his scheme with his offense. A lot of quick passes, a lot of quick hits, guys pulling and moving," Watts explained. "The one thing about [offensive line] Coach [Chris Kapilovic] that, when I was talking to people that knew him, they kept talking about vertical blocking which is basically just get in front of your man and push him back. You're gonna have to be athletic, have good feet and have quickness to get out there and move that around."

Kapilovic has already named returning OL Tyler Booker the alpha of the group

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DeBoer finally addresses comments by Nick Saban regarding recruiting, NIL

by:
Andrew Graham

"I think the times have changed and you have to adjust, adapt," DeBoer said. "I think I've been able to do a good job with that. I think our staff will have the type of personalities and type of want to to just continue to keep the main thing the main thing, and that's coach these guys up. Understanding, also, that NIL is a part of it. The portal is a part of it. So, one day at a time. I think we've just gotta keep working, keep doing what we do, and kind of find the hearts and minds of these guys.

"I think it's one of those things where we all got into coaching for different reasons, right?" DeBoer said. "And we love the game, we love impacting the lives of these guys that we get a chance to coach and it's fun seeing them 10, 15, 20 years from now and where they've gone to and the families that they've raised. But, if you just try to really hone in on that and the moment we're in, I think that's the key. Not get overwhelmed by the things you can't control.

"I think that's really good and that's something I'm excited to see the ways and things that could happen over the next year or two with people like coach Saban helping lead the charge. I think the key is to have a sustainable model that allows the student athletes to get NIL or some version of that or whatever it may be. Definitely am in favor of that. I think there is an opportunity that they should be able to take advantage of," DeBoer said. "But also a model that is, like I said, sustainable. Things that we can do within the athletic program, department to where it isn't just — at Alabama we'll continue to find ways to move forward, but there's a lot of programs that don't have the same backing, the same resources and just for the game itself, I'd love to see us continue to work together to try and figure out what's best moving forward in years to come."

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Kalen DeBoer finally addresses the Elephant that won't leave the room

The challenge of replacing Saban

by:
Matt Connolly
•

Kalen DeBoer was well aware that it would not be easy to replace Nick Saban when he accepted the head coaching job at Alabama.

However, DeBoer is confident in his ability as a coach and believes he has what it takes

DeBoer recently joined Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman:

"There's a lot of thoughts that go through my mind. ... I think a lot of it is you just have to enjoy what you're doing and the people you're with. Then that leads to the perspective," Kalen DeBoer said. "I guess what I would say is when every day you enjoy going to work. And the people you're with, you trust and believe in them, it allows you to not have to put on this face. You're still the leader of the crew and you provide the guidance and organization and helping the program really uphold the standard that you have set."

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Alabama to pay Kalen DeBoer $10 million in year 1 as he replaces Saban

By Nick Alvarez |

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DeBoer on Milroe taking every single first-team snap this spring:

'He certainly has been headlining that room'

by:
Barkley Truax
•

Milroe is running with the ones, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed on Wednesday. He has taken first-team rep under center so far this spring.

It seems as though Milroe, last season's QB1, has impressed his new headman through the first few Crimson Tide practices this spring. Now, all signs are now pointing toward Milroe repeating as Alabama's starting quarterback in 2024.

"We have some great ones in the room," DeBoer said, via Mike Rodak on X. "(Milroe) certainly has been headlining that room and done a great job there."

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DeBoer offers injury update on Oatis

by:
Thomas Goldkamp

Alabama football team has had some talented players emerge as true freshmen over the years, and Jeheim Oatis is a recent one the Crimson Tide are hoping can continue to progress.

But Oatis has had a quiet spring so far for the Crimson Tide. On Thursday, coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about Oatis' injury status.

He gave a fairly non-committal answer.

"Yeah I don't know that. I do know, but I think it's still kind of relative, kind of up in the air still," Kalen DeBoer said. "I mean I'm certainly aware of that, obviously."

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Alabama WR Jalen Hale injured his knee in practice, Kalen DeBoer confirms

By Nick Alvarez

Alabama sophomore Jalen Hale suffered a "significant" knee injury during the Tide's Tuesday practice.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer said Hale will be out for the spring. DeBoer told reporters during a news conference Thursday that Hale's timeline for a return is unclear.

Hale was one of the returning pieces in the team's wide receiver group, which lost Jermaine Burton to the NFL Draft and Bond, Isaiah Bond, Amari Niblack and Malik Benson to the transfer portal.

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An area of improvement for Alabama football

A potential solution

By Nick Alvarez |

Scrimmages are tough for coaches to evaluate. A great day for the offense means the defense was a step behind or vice versa. Kalen DeBoer was in that spot with Alabama football on Thursday.

Throwing in the lore of Bryant-Denny Stadium and the challenges of a new offense and defense for players to learn, it went well. Quarterbacks made good decisions. The energy was there. Yet, DeBoer paused when asked about one area: How did the pass protection go?

"I think that was one area, and I think it's the matchup, right? I think we have a strength there on our defense with probably the one area where we could've been a little bit better offensively. I think defensively I looked at it and we had a strong pass rush. Offensively, I think we had a great run game. Those areas, both sides of the ball did a really good job so I can't say it's a weakness at this point, but it's something we want to continue to work on."

While that's a good sign for UA's "bandits" and "wolves" or defensive ends and edge linebackers, it doesn't bode well for the inexperienced offensive tackle candidates and dual contenders at center.

Reporters weren't allowed to view the scrimmage and didn't receive stats.

A clear experience gap on paper may be playing out compared to the experience at other positions on the offense. While more reps and spring practices can change that, the return of a former freshman tackle could answer a major question. But for now, Alabama stressed competition this week, and nowhere is that clearer than on the offensive line.

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Kalen DeBoer reacts to Alabama reaching Final Four with win over Clemson

by:
Griffin McVeigh
•

Usually when talking about Final Four, Alabama fans are concerned about the College Football Playoff. But this one is different, with Nate Oats guiding the basketball program to its first-ever Final Four thanks to a win over Clemson on Saturday night in Los Angeles. A historic moment for the Crimson Tide and one everyone in Tuscaloosa appreciates.

Kalen DeBoer might be new to the school but is showing love for what other teams around him have been able to accomplish

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Can DeBoer carry the weight of expectations at Alabama

by: Andy Staples
•

So it would be pretty silly to point out that Kalen DeBoer plays music at Alabama practices — think Bonecrusher's Never Scared and other early-century bangers; not the slop of the Soundcloud era — and suggest that new sonic accompaniment will somehow allow Alabama to be a better football team than it has been. Nick Saban's practices, which were soundtracked by bird-chirping and ass-chewings, led to a special brand of symphony on Saturdays.

In fact, every law of probability suggests it will be nearly impossible for Alabama to better than it has for the past 15 years in the next 15 years. Not because of any flaw in DeBoer's organizational, recruiting or strategic capabilities, but because Saban was so damn good.

Let's agree that any statement that insinuates that anything needed changing at Alabama is utter foolishness. The change happened because Saban decided it was time.

By the same token, we shouldn't blindly assume that because DeBoer is not Nick Saban that Alabama automatically will take a step back. DeBoer has been an FBS head coach for three seasons. His record is 34-6. Include the five seasons DeBoer spent as the head coach at his alma mater the University of Sioux Falls, and his all-time record as a head coach is 104-12. There have been coaches who have lost 12 games in their first season in the big chair. DeBoer has won nearly 10 games for every one he's lost, which sounds kind of like...

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DeBoer to re-hire former Saban analyst John McNulty

By Nick Alvarez | 

There's a bridgin' of old yet new for Alabama football this offseason. Kalen DeBoer is settling into his new office, music is bumping behind Coleman Coliseum on spring afternoons for practice, the 4th Quarter Program remains a grueling tradition.

A new connection between the Nick Saban era and DeBoer's start was connected on Tuesday. John McNulty, a former NFL coach with recent collegiate stops at Penn State, Notre Dame and Boston College, worked in Tuscaloosa last year. Now, hel'll (sic) be back as the 11th off-field analyst under DeBoer.

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DeBoer provides latest on Alabama OL Parker Brailsford, Jaeden Roberts

By Nick Alvarez |

Two of Alabama's projected starting linemen missed a portion of the team's second scrimmage on Saturday. One didn't play at all.

Right guard Jaeden Roberts "might be down for a little" but is believed to have avoided a "major" injury after getting hurt during UA's practice.

Brailsford is currently not with the team. Instead, he's working with Alabama's strength staff.

"Parker is just going through non-football-related things. He's gonna be with us," DeBoer said. "He's never done anything wrong. It's nothing like that. It's working hard and he's gonna be ready to go here sooner than later. Just taking it day by day. He's gonna be here with us. It's not a transfer thing. It's nothing like that. Just want to make sure I'm clear. It's nothing on his end where he's done anything wrong or anything like that."

Brailsford, who transferred to Washington shortly after DeBoer's appointment in January, reportedly missed the team's opening scrimmage last week and the first practices of April. Tony Tsoukalas of TideIllustrated.com cited a source that stated Brailsford's absence was for "non-injury reasons."A reporter then asked UA offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan about Brailsford's availability on Thursday and Sheridan deferred his answer to DeBoer.

When Brailsford committed on Jan. 21, the Tide was presumably set to have four of his former coaches in Tuscaloosa: DeBoer, JaMarcus Shephard (wide receivers), Ryan Grubb (offensive coordinator) and Scott Huff (offensive line). The latter two, however, left for roles with the Seattle Seahawks.

Four former UW players also transferred. including quarterback Austin Mack.

With the Huskies, Brailsford won the Joe Moore Award, gifted to the nation's best offensive line. He is listed as a redshirt sophomore, per UA's roster. He entered spring practice in a competition for the team's starting center position against Brockermeyer.

Alabama will play its annual spring game on Saturday, April 13 in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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Mal Moore adjusts to new position for Alabama football

By Matt Stahl |

When Alabama football takes the field for its annual A-Day game, Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, things will be different. The obvious change will be Kalen DeBoer on the sideline, replacing the retired Nick Saban, but that's just the start of the list.

Somewhere between the new coach and whatever the least important difference from 2023 is, comes Malachi Moore's position. After spending most of his career playing the star, the senior will be a safety under new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.

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Kalen DeBoer recaps 1st A-Day scrimmage with Alabama football

By Nick Alvarez |

Fifteen spring football practices have come and gone for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football. After over a month of official workouts into a new era, the team wrapped up the spring schedule with the annual scrimmage known as A-Day.

The lower bowl was nearly full in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here's what DeBoer told reporters when fielding questions postgame:

--"Shoot, if it was a half, it would've been a tale of two halves. That's why we keep playing. So many things we're gonna get to learn from from this scrimmage depending on what side of the ball you're on."

--DeBoer said the team combined for six penalties across roughly 85 plays. Per DeBoer, that was the lowest total of UA's three scrimmages.

--Running backs were hitting their holes and attacking the lanes Alabama's offensive line created early.

"They're not dancing so they're getting more and more comfortable with the scheme."

--"He does a great job back there," DeBoer said of backup quarterback contender Ty Simpson. DeBoer called Simpson accurate and applauded his consistency this spring. DeBoer said Tide quarterbacks were encouraged to push up in the pocket to avoid the rush.

--A pair of anticipated starters on defense, Jehiem Oatis and Jihaad Campbell, went through warmups but did not record a snap through the game. DeBoer addressed their status:

"Just want to be careful and not push it. We don't want to set them back. They're right on pace, right where we expect them to be based on what they each have which are completely different types of injuries."