Saban: DeBoer's done 'fantastic job' transitioning to Alabama
Legendary head coach Nick Saban likes what he's seen from new Alabama sideline boss Kalen DeBoer in his first months with the Crimson Tide.
"Kalen DeBoer has done a fantastic job. ... I've not been in the building since the day I retired, but those guys come over and see me all the time," Saban said at SEC media days Wednesday, according to On3's Andrew Graham. "He's come over and seen me a couple of times. We spent an hour together here and there. The defensive coordinator comes over, the recruiting coordinator comes over. So, I'm involved and I want them to be successful. And they have done a fantastic job in this transition. The players really buy into him."
Alabama hired DeBoer in January to replace Saban, who retired at age 72 after 17 seasons coaching the Crimson Tide. The school won nine SEC titles and six national championships under Saban's watch and he posted a 201-29 record in Tuscaloosa.
"Taking the place of, in this day and age, any coach is very difficult," Saban added. "When you've had a successful program, you come in, players can get in the portal, you've got really good people on the staff. You didn't take over a 2-12 program, you took over a 12-2 program. So you want to keep the good things, you want to get rid of some things. ... But at the same time, you want to keep as much continuity and you have a very limited time to try to recruit your players, keep the players there, not let them get in the portal, pick the staff you want to keep, bring the staff you have to."
DeBoer posted two impressive seasons at Washington before taking the Alabama job. The two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year helped the Huskies go 25-3 and reach the national championship game last season. Washington lost 34-13 to Michigan in the title matchup.
DeBoer, 49, is also happy with his fit at Alabama.
"I think people are always what make places," DeBoer told reporters Wednesday, according to Bob Ballou of CBS Austin. "And there are so many great people in Tuscaloosa. Obviously, their passion about their football, it's really made this transition smooth and enjoyable."
"We appreciate everything (Saban) has done to make this foundation strong to where we can continue to build on it," he added, per Max Cohan of WAAYTV.
Alabama officially kicks off its post-Saban era Aug. 31 at home versus Western Kentucky.