Nick Saban Breaks Silence on Kalen DeBoer’s First Season at Alabama: “The Foundation Is There, But There’s Work to Do”
After a legendary career that spanned nearly two decades in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban retired from coaching in 2024, leaving behind an unmatched legacy of excellence. In his absence, Kalen DeBoer took the reins of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, tasked with guiding the powerhouse into a new era.
Now, for the first time since stepping down, Saban is breaking his silence — and he has plenty to say about his successor’s debut season.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on The Game radio show, the seven-time national champion shared a measured but insightful assessment of DeBoer’s first year at the helm.
“I think Coach DeBoer came into one of the toughest jobs in the country, following someone like me,” Saban began, with a hint of dry humor. “But I give him credit — he held the team together, and you can see there’s a structure in place. The foundation is there.”
A Mixed Debut for DeBoer
In 2024, DeBoer led the Crimson Tide to a 9–4 record, including a 5–3 finish in SEC play. Alabama made it to the ReliaQuest Bowl but fell to Michigan in a closely contested 19–13 loss — a game that many fans felt symbolized the season: competitive, but lacking the sharpness and killer instinct of the Saban years.
Still, Saban pointed out several areas where DeBoer deserves praise.
“They played tough football down the stretch. That win over Georgia — ending their 42-game streak — that showed real grit,” Saban said, referencing Alabama’s thrilling 41–34 upset over the then-No. 2 Bulldogs. “That was classic Bama toughness. When it mattered, they showed up.”
Saban also commended DeBoer’s poise on the sidelines and his decision-making in close games.
“You can tell he doesn’t panic. That’s important in a place like Alabama, where every snap is magnified,” he added.
Where Improvement is Needed
But the former coach didn’t shy away from pointing out the shortcomings he saw throughout the 2024 campaign.
“Discipline, that’s an area that slipped,” Saban said bluntly. “Too many penalties. Missed assignments. There were moments where the team looked unsure — like they weren’t 100% bought in or fully confident in the system.”
Indeed, Alabama’s loss to lowly Vanderbilt — their first in over four decades — sent shockwaves through the fanbase and underscored a lack of consistency. Saban attributed that inconsistency to something deeper than X’s and O’s.
“Culture takes time,” Saban said. “You can’t just inherit a program and expect it to run the same. You’ve got to earn that locker room. You’ve got to make the players believe every week that they’re still competing for something bigger.”
The offensive identity under DeBoer also remains a work in progress. While he was known for a high-powered attack at Washington, Alabama’s offense at times looked hesitant and disjointed in 2024.
“I don’t think we saw the full version of his playbook yet,” Saban observed. “Maybe he was still figuring out the personnel. But going forward, he’s going to have to put his own stamp on the offense.”
A Message to the Crimson Tide Community
Saban concluded the interview with words of encouragement — not just for DeBoer, but for the Alabama faithful who have grown accustomed to dominance.
“Look, this program is bigger than one man — even me,” Saban said. “Coach DeBoer’s going to be fine. But he’s got to keep pushing. He’s got to make this team his. And the fans? They’ve got to be patient, but not passive. Hold the program accountable — that’s part of what makes Alabama special.”
Moving Forward
With spring practice now concluded and the quarterback battle heating up between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and freshman Keelon Russell, Alabama is already laying the groundwork for what many believe could be a bounce-back season in 2025.
Meanwhile, Saban is settling comfortably into retirement — but make no mistake, he’s still watching closely.
“I’ll always be part of the Crimson Tide family,” he said. “I care deeply about what happens next.”
And while the torch has been passed, the shadow of a legend still looms over Bryant-Denny Stadium — not as a burden, but as a beacon of what Alabama football can be when excellence is demanded, earned, and delivered.
