When Derrick Henry talks about Alabama football, it carries weight. He’s not speaking as a fan or an analyst, he lived it. He practiced under Nick Saban, carried the offense in the biggest moments, and understands what the Alabama standard actually costs. So when he spoke about Coach Kalen DeBoer and the direction of the program, it wasn’t negativity. It was honesty and encouragement.
Henry said:
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“I mean, you’re going to have growing pains. You know, coach Saban had his growing pains. Coach DeBoer will have his. But for you to be able to get back to that mountaintop and be the top dog, you know, as far as a man and a player, you got to have that mindset of wanting to do that.
I think what gave me confidence is because it’s never going to go away. But what’re you going to do with your time there? And I feel like the only way we’re going to get back is if you lock into that and go do that.”
That’s really the message Alabama fans need to hear right now.
We all remember the championships, the dominance, and the years where the outcome felt decided by halftime. But what we sometimes forget is there was a process before the trophies.
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There was a season Saban lost games. There were early frustrations. The dynasty didn’t start on the mountaintop, it was built by players choosing discipline, accountability, and effort every single day.
Henry wasn’t lowering expectations.
He was reminding everyone why the expectations existed in the first place.
Alabama has never lacked talent.
Five-stars have always been on the roster.
What separated Alabama was mindset.
It was players finishing sprints when they were exhausted, practicing like starters even when they weren’t, and holding each other accountable inside the locker room.
That culture is what made Saturdays in the fall look easy.
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The standard didn’t retire with Coach Saban. The facilities are the same. The script “A” still means something nationally. But culture doesn’t run on autopilot. players have to carry it.
Henry’s words really come down to one question: what will this team choose to do with its time?
Transitions are uncomfortable.
Every great program goes through them.
Dynasties don’t end because a coach changes, they end when belief fades and the work slips.
Derrick Henry made it clear he doesn’t believe that’s happening.
The goal is still the mountaintop.
And Alabama still knows the way back.
