Kalen DeBoer is welcomed to Alabama by MOBS of Crimson Tide fans at the airport and on campus as he replaces coaching legend Nick Saban
Alabama Crimson Tide fans showed up in droves to welcome new head football coach Kalen DeBoer to Tuscaloosa.
Fans at the airport weren’t the only ones lining up to give DeBoer a warm welcome, after Alabama students also lined up outside the school’s Mal Moore Athletic Facility to greet the former Washington Huskies head coach.
DeBoer will replace legendary coach Nick Saban, who announced his retirement Wednesday and shocked the college football world.
âI have always had incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence,â DeBoer said in a statement released by the team.
âThe tradition-rich history of this program is unparalleled in the college athletics landscape, and I look forward to continuing that into the future.â Following Coach Saban is an honor.â
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama’s new head football coach, was greeted at the airport by a crowd of fans
DeBoer was named head coach of the Crimson Tide following the retirement of Nick Saban this week
DeBoer was also greeted by waves of students waiting in line for his arrival on campus
The 49-year-old DeBoer was last seen leading the Washington Huskies to the National Championship before suffering a loss to the Michigan Wolverines.
He finished his two seasons in charge of the Huskies with a 25-3 record after spending a year as head coach at Fresno State, where he compiled a 9-3 record before suffering a loss in the New Mexico Bowl against UTEP.
Like the fans who lined up to welcome the former Huskies coach, Saban also applauded the university’s decision to hire DeBoer as his replacement.
âI want nothing more than for Alabama football to continue to be successful, and Coach DeBoer is an excellent choice to lead this program,â Saban said in a statement.
âHe has a proven track record of success and is one of the brightest minds in football,â Saban continued. âCoach DeBoer has excellent insight into what it takes to be a successful head coach, whether it’s coaching, recruiting, developing players or building a culture.