TUSCALOOSA, Alabama: In addition to saying he isn’t concerned about the spate of recent transfers out of the Alabama football programme via the transfer site, Kalen DeBoer made his debut on The Paul Finebaum Show on Friday.
DeBoer remarked, “I’m really not alarmed at all. It’s just the world we live in right now.” Everything surrounding the programme will alter when there is a change and transition. Many of these programmes are undergoing adjustments without head coach turnover.”
Since the transfer portal’s launch in early December, Alabama has had 26 scholarship athletes use it as of Friday; ten of those players have used it after Nick Saban’s retirement on January 10. 49 hours later, DeBoer was hired to take his place.
Caleb Downs, the All-American safety; Kadyn Proctor, the Tide’s starting left tackle as a true freshman last season; and early enrolling 5-star quarterback prospect Julian Sayin are just a few of the high-profile departures that have occurred in recent days.
“It is only natural to anticipate that this will occur to some degree,” DeBoer said. “We’ll include the appropriate individuals in the programme, whether they be players or staff. The greatest resources and facilities in the entire nation are found here. With all of that, we are able to assist the outstanding players that visit us.”
With the arrival of Austin Mack, a former 4-star quarterback from the 2023 recruiting class, DeBoer received some positive news on Thursday. Despite having signed with Washington, he recently made known that he and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will be moving to Alabama to join DeBoer.
DeBoer, 49, has gone through similar changes in the past. He had previously served as a coach for two years, from 2020–21 at Fresno State until 2022–23 at Washington. On Friday, he informed Finebaum that he had benefited from that experience during the previous week.
DeBoer remarked, “I just got through this two years ago.” “With the amount of guys quitting, this is a far better situation than that one. All you do is stick with it. You roll up your sleeves. This set of leaders is fantastic and truly committed to maintaining the high standards of Alabama football. They are remaining grouped together.
“Guys who want to be here is what we want. I’m really happy of them for sticking together and being deliberate in their communication with themselves as they navigate through all the noise that’s out there. They’re keeping things tight and cohesive.”
A number of important Alabama players, including linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell, quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive lineman Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts, and defensive backs Malachi Moore and DeVonta Smith, have stated that they plan to stay for the 2024 campaign.
“A lot of these guys, they came here to leave a legacy — to build on a legacy, but to also leave a legacy,” DeBoer said. They see it as an unfinished task. There are unresolved matters. As a staff and team, we’re incredibly excited to join forces and carry on working with the men present.
“When I started the job, I really gave him a call,” DeBoer remarked. “I found it rather interesting to learn about his humility. He was discussing his efforts to build upon the success of Paul “Bear” Bryant, the former coach of Alabama. It was evident that Saban is committed to seeing this programme advance.
“That’s the great opportunity for us, to build on the foundation he’s left — and he’s left a great foundation, not just with the players in this programme, but everything that’s been built to support them.”
