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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama hired a new football coach, OK?
His name is Kalen DeBoer, OK?
And he punctuates his sentences differently than his predecessor, OK?
Nick Saban retired, a’ight?
Saban’s “progrum” is now DeBoer’s “program.”
The torch of the nation’s most storied program officially passed Saturday. My eyes and ears told me that an inimitable coach truly did retire. When DeBoer says all right, he enunciates it as two words rather than as Saban’s trademark contraction.
A new era, indeed, but the old era isn’t being shuttled into the closet.
On my drive to the news conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium, I wondered two things: Would Saban and Miss Terry be present? (Answer: Yes.) Would Saban offer any remarks? (Answer: No.)
Makes sense. Alabama fashioned this day to present its hire, rather than salute the retiring king.
None of the six seats on the stage were reserved for Saban. That made sense, too. If Saban had been on the stage, DeBoer quite literally would have had a legend over his shoulder. That’s not the right image.
Instead, Saban took his seat in the front row, almost directly in front of DeBoer. Saban put eyes on his successor. That will continue.
Saban, 72, remains employed by Alabama athletics in an advisory role. His office shifted to Bryant-Denny Stadium. That’s less than a mile walk from DeBoer’s office in the Mal Moore Athletic Facility.
DeBoer, 49, spoke of Saban’s continuing presence as an asset. Of course, he’d say that. What else could he say? Only a stooge would block Saban’s number, and you don’t compile a 104-12 career record, like DeBoer has, by being a stooge.
Not only did DeBoer say it, I came away actually believing he wants a dose of Saban in his ear.
This situation also calls for boundaries, though. DeBoer must be the unquestioned captain of this ship.
Kalen…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-saban-kalen-deboers-ear-231700715.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-01-13 23:17:00
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