In a recent interview with ESPN’s Chris Low, Alabama Head Coach Kalen DeBoer responded to criticisms from Crimson Tide fans about his lack of passion.
Kalen DeBoer’s Rollercoaster First Season Follows Saban’s Legendary Legacy
Alabama’s New Head Coach, DeBoer, had some serious shoes to fill after Coach Saban’s retirement. The former Washington man’s season was a completely mixed bag.
The Crimson Tide did manage to string together some strong performances, including a victory against Georgia, the second-ranked side in the country, and a complete demolition of LSU, which showed that Alabama still had it in them.
However, both of those victories were immediately followed by losses to unranked and poor sides. They were defeated by Vanderbault and an Oklahoma side with only 2 victories, meaning they ultimately missed out on the CFP. Despite that, Coach De Boer claimed that this season will ultimately be looked back upon as a success due to the lessons his side will learn from defeat.
“To me, it’s a success if we move forward and we take advantage of the lessons, even though we don’t want to learn those lessons sometimes because they’re hard,” DeBoer said. “We’re going to learn from those lessons, move forward, and be better next year because of it.”
Alabama’s Newest Head Coach Contrasts Coach Saban
One particular criticism that was very popular when discussing the Crimson Tide’s new head coach was that he never appeared animated on the sidelines. Some fans complained that he wasn’t showing enough passion for a side like Alabama.
In comparison, Coach Saban was always one of the loudest from the sidelines, with an entire repertoire of outbursts of emotions during his side’s games.
Famously, Coach Saban once said “Passion always looks like aggression to the unmotivated.”
Nick Saban said that passion always looks like aggression to the unmotivated.
— Montoyo M. Wooten (@CoachM_Wooten) February 21, 2021
In a recent interview with ESPN, Coach DeBoer revealed exactly what he thinks of these criticisms, explaining that he’s learned how not to overreact.
“If there’s anyone I’m yelling at, it’s internally at myself. Maybe the week of prep is different. But on Saturdays, we’re in the fight together. I learned way back not to overreact and keep guys focused,” the Crimson Tide Head Coach told ESPN.
With Jalen Milroe leaving for the NFL this Spring, Coach DeBoer will lose another influential player. He will also have to prepare to improve on last season without his starting quarterback, and an ongoing battle will be going on behind the scenes for the position.
KEEP READING: Former Alabama QB Believes There’s a Gap Between ‘Ty Simpson and Everybody Else’ to Become Alabama’s Starting QB
Alabama will kick off its season on August 30th with a clash against Florida State, with many suggesting that it’s playoffs or bust for Coach DeBoer.
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