It’s a new era in the SEC and Tuscaloosa, as change is the theme for the 2024 SEC Media Days.
Legendary head coach Nick Saban has retired, and former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer has taken the reins of the Crimson Tide football program. As DeBoer prepares for his first season leading one of the most storied programs in college football history, all eyes were on him during his debut at SEC Media Days.
DeBoer is trying to fill some of the most enormous shoes in college football history as he takes over for Saban. He hopes to continue Alabma’s unprecedented run of dominance and relevance in college football. So, what are the three biggest takeaways from DeBoer’s SEC Media Days debut?
3 Takeaways From Kalen DeBoer at SEC Media Days
1) Praise and Thanks to Former Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban
Since it was announced that former Washington head coach DeBoer would be the man to take over from Saban at Alabama, questions have been pouring into the new king of the Crimson Tide about how he plans to fill the shoes of the legendary coach.
And those shoes are MASSIVE.
Under coach Saban, Alabama has only had one season with more than two losses since 2008. The Crimson Tide holds the record for the longest streak of consecutive 10-win seasons in FBS history, with 16 dating back to 2008. They have claimed nine SEC titles since 2009 and haven’t finished lower than second in the SEC West since 2010. They also won six national titles under Saban.
But rather than discuss how he plans to fill those shoes at the opening of the Alabama session of SEC Media Days, DeBoer took time to thank and praise the legendary football coach for the foundation he built at Alabama and all of the people he impacted positively while leading the Alabama football program.
DeBoer congratulated Saban on the ESPY he received for the 2024 Icon Award. He then thanked his predecessor on behalf of everyone at the University of Alabama and Alabama football for everything coach Saban had built and accomplished in his 17 years at the helm.
DeBoer called it “a great honor” to follow Saban and carry on the Crimson Tide’s unprecedented success on the field in the SEC for the past 17 years.
“I totally get it,” DeBoer said of the massive role he’s expected to fill. “There’s only one Coach Saban. This program is special. I take it as a great honor to do anything we can to carry on the great tradition.”
MORE: 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide Depth Chart
DeBoer also touched on how his coaching style will be similar to Saban’s: “Pouring into the guys and pushing them to be their best.”
Since DeBoer was hired, Saban has openly supported the new head coach, offering encouragement and even discussing his openness to sit and share advice for the new coach. But following DeBoer’s SEC Media Days appearance, Saban kept it simple and direct regarding what Alabama football fans want and what DeBoer can provide.
“What everyone points to is that we wanna win,” Nick Saban said after DeBoer had stepped off the stage at SEC Media Days. “Kalen wins.”
2) High Praise For QB Jalen Milroe’s Work Ethic, Leadership
Coming into last season, Saban talked about the quarterback competition at Alabama and compared it to his grandmother’s baking process, stating that it would take some time and could not be rushed.
The competition was between Jalen Milroe, Redshirt Freshman Ty Simpson, and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner. Milroe ultimately won the job and quite possibly improved more than any quarterback in the country throughout the season as he led the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff.
There is no quarterback competition in Tuscaloosa this season. Milroe will lead Alabama on offense, and DeBoer was quick at the podium to praise the quarterback’s work ethic and leadership.
“There’s nobody that’s going to beat him (Milroe) into the football facility. He’s there at 4:30-5 a.m. for sure. I know there are guys that have tried to beat him into the facility, and they can’t,” DeBoer said of Milroe when introducing him at SEC Media Days.
DeBoer also touched on Milroe’s focus on areas of improvement for the 2024 season and his big-time arm strength. “He’s got a skill set that is special. With his arm, he can make you pay. … He continues to work on those higher-percentage throws that move the chains.”
Arm strength has never been an issue for Milroe, but he often fell in love with it and took downfield shots when higher-percentage throws underneath were available. This will be an area of focus for Milroe, DeBoer, and new Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.
DeBoer continued to discuss the leadership of the returning Alabama players, and when it came to describing Milroe’s leadership style, DeBoer kept it simple. “Positive and accountability.”
3) DeBoer Shares Startling Numbers on WR Kendrick Law
DeBoer is known as an offensive mastermind who maximizes the passing game wherever he goes. Last year at Washington, he turned the Huskies into an offensive machine, producing two WRs drafted in the top two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft in Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk.
DeBoer has been around world-class WRs. He believes he has another one at Alabama.
Wide receiver Kendrick Law, entering his third season with Alabama, caught DeBoer’s attention. The new head coach revealed some staggering numbers Law has posted in Tuscaloosa this offseason, highlighting his impressive athleticism and potential impact on the offense.
“He hit 23.6 mph in workouts, and he can absolutely fly … on top of being a 450 lb bench guy,” DeBoer said while at the podium at SEC Media Days.
These are some staggering numbers from Law. For reference, DK Metcalf posted the fastest speed of any NFL player in 2023, reaching a top speed of 22.23 miles per hour.
DeBoer has set some lofty expectations for a wide receiver who hasn’t caught a ton of passes during his time in Tuscaloosa. Law has primarily contributed on special teams over the last two seasons, with limited snaps at receiver. He has caught just 23 passes for 238 yards but has returned 18 kickoffs for 405 yards, with his longest return being 33 yards.
With DeBoer dropping these eye-opening numbers, Law will have serious expectations in 2024.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!