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Let’s rewind to the peak years of Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty and identify an important truth.
Batman worked best with his trusted Robin.
Chief lieutenant Kirby Smart helped Saban build an unforgiving defense, turning the Crimson Tide into an unrelenting thresher that ate up opponents and spit out their bones.
Don’t misunderstand, Smart didn’t make Saban. Many would say it’s the other way around, but I’m not sure that’s right. Each independently proved himself a great mind and an elite recruiter. Working together, they delivered four of the six national championships Saban would win at Alabama.
“He’s the best assistant coach we ever had,” Saban said of Smart during SEC media days last summer.
Smart previously worked for Saban as an assistant at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins.
I’ve been thinking about Saban and Smart lately, after Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer smartly rekindled his union with Ryan Grubb.
Grubb will coordinate Alabama’s offense this season. If there’s reason to be bullish about DeBoer’s second season at Alabama, start there. Maverick and Goose fly together again, after a year apart in which neither individual flourished. Maybe, the familiarity of working with Grubb will help DeBoer accelerate in the SEC.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer stands on the sideline during his team’s 2024 game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium.
Kalen DeBoer’s offseason message leads him to Ryan Grubb
DeBoer’s offseason messaging hinges on a five-word theme: Control what you can control.
DeBoer controlled how he’d revise his coaching staff after a turnover- and penalty-filled season throughout which Alabama’s offense regressed.
Batman, phone Robin.
Saban thought highly enough of Grubb that he tried to pluck him off DeBoer’s staff while they worked together at Washington. Grubb stayed with DeBoer, and he…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/kalen-deboer-hiring-wingman-ryan-110338251.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2025-03-06 11:03:00
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