It was pretty crazy for them - Kalen DeBoer shares staff's emotions as he walked into his first meeting as Alabama HC

After winning six nattys and eight SEC championships and garnering an impressive 206-29 record, Nick Saban decided to give up his throw at Alabama and announced his retirement on Jan. 11, 2024. After the shocking news, Crimson Tide fans were both worried and saddened about Alabama's future.

However, their worries were put to rest, as former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer took over the reigns. DeBoer's coaching abilities are evident in his 104-12 record. In the 2023 college football season, he led the Huskies to the playoffs and bagged the Pac-12 championship title.

In an interview on the show "Next Up With Adam Breneman," Kalen DeBoer opened up about his initial interaction with the Alabama staff:

"I think some were excited. Some were trying to figure it out, even the next three to four days, were pretty crazy for them, especially just because, we're trying to build a staff, and you know, that has happened overnight, but we were pretty efficient, I think, and the guys just been so receptive, So patient, embraced everything we've done since then.

"But that first meeting, I just tried to connect them a little bit and just tell them that I understood what this place stood for, what their what their goals were each and every year" (8:10)

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Analyst lauds Kalen DeBoer's recruiting efforts at Alabama

Since Kalen DeBoer started his tenure at Alabama, the former Washington coach has made some bold recruitment moves.

DeBoer has landed talent powerhouses like four-star linebacker Darrel Johnson, four-star quarterback Keelon Russell and five-star wide receiver Jalen Hale, who picked Alabama despite getting offers from multiple top schools, apart from 12 more commitments from ESPN 300.

In a latest podcast, analyst Steve Wiltfong predicts DeBoer's Alabama to finish in the No. 1 spot:

"They got a chance to finish number 1. This is a staff that is full of energy. It starts with Kalen DeBoer, and what he’s done historically as a head football coach. Kids know they are going to play for a winner.”

He also highlighted former coach Nick Saban's continued efforts and impact at Alabama:

"Nick Saban still has a presence around this college football program despite retirement."