For some of the teams in the SEC, such as the Mississippi State Bulldogs or Vanderbilt Commodores, a 9-4 season is viewed as a success. To the Alabama Crimson Tide, such a season could land a head coach on the hot seat. Nick Saban isn’t putting any added weight on his successor, Kalen DeBoer.
Saban, who put up a 206-29 record in Tuscaloosa from 2007-23, spoke to the media Wednesday at the Regions Tradition Pro-Am in Hoover, Ala. He didn’t give a certain objective for DeBoer to strive for when asked about how his former program should fare this upcoming season.
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“I don’t really have an expectation,” Saban said. “I know those guys are working hard to do the best they can.”
Nick Saban makes his remarks to the assembled crowd of friends, supporters and agencies Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the annual Nick’s Kids Foundation Luncheon. © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK
Last October, Alabama was 4-0 and ranked atop the Associated Press poll before visiting Vanderbilt and coming up short against the Commodores for the first time since the 1980s. It was the first time an AP No. 1 team was upended as a three-touchdown favorite since 2008.
Two weeks later, the Crimson Tide fell short in visiting the Tennessee Volunteers and were later beaten by Oklahoma. DeBoer’s crew couldn’t outclass Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, either. Saban does feel as if there will be an increased level of comfort this time around.
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“You know, it was a difficult transition with the number of players that moved, new system, new people, you know,” Saban said. “Players in the organizations had to make adjustments. I would say that everybody’s probably a lot more settled in this year.”
Related: Kalen DeBoer Provides Key Quarterback Battle Update
