"Kalen DeBoer may be an upgrade": Joel Klatt believes new Alabama HC can surpass Nick Saban's legacy at the Crimson Tide

Popular college football analyst Joel Klatt believes new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer may surpass Nick Saban's legacy at the Crimson Tide. DeBoer steps in with the opportunity to extend Alabama's winning tradition, though new to the SEC, he has a strong track record as a college coach.

According to Elite Gridiron, The FOX Sports analyst's comments on Alabama's future have been making the rounds online:

"Alabama hasn't skipped a beat without Saban; DeBoer might be an upgrade, and that's a scary thought for the rest of the country," Klatt said.

On June 13, Colin Cowherd and Klatt discussed how Kalen DeBoer will fare as the new head coach of Alabama on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd."

"DeBoer wins everywhere… he's 104 and 12 as a head coach going back to Sioux Falls and then Fresno State and Washington…," Klatt said. "I would admit this the absolute greatest college football coach of all time who would you have do it? A guy that just wins and so that's Kalen DeBoer.T[Timestamp - 15:23]

“I think that mindset and skill hopefully translates for him and for the Alabama faithful," he said. "I will say this though ‘it's just so unique’ we don't see it.”

Last season, DeBoer led Washington to the national championship game against Michigan, where they lost. Despite the defeat, it was a successful season in many ways. DeBoer has been learning from Saban during his time coaching at Alabama. In a recent conversation with former Crimson Tide quarterback and ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, DeBoer said:

“And the recent 15 to 20 years under coach Saban there, I stole a lot of things,” DeBoer said [h/t Yardbarker]. “It could be the Xs and Os of an offensive or defensive play or just kind of those quotes, those sayings, those things that get uploaded to social media all the time that you take from that you can use with your own football team."

In another interview with sports radio host Jim Rome, DeBoer mentioned he might have some questions for Saban as the team approaches the start of the 2024 season. The Crimson Tide will battle the Sooners on Nov. 23 in Norman, Oklahoma. Following that, they will gear up for the Iron Bowl against Auburn a week later.

Kalen DeBoer is making waves in college football

University of Alabama introduced new head football coach Kalen DeBoer (image credit: IMAGN)

In an April report from Roll Tide Wire, ESPN placed DeBoer just behind Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC head coach rankings, the second-best coach in America. DeBoer boasts a perfect 5-0 record against Dan Lanning and Steve Sarkisian.

On Sept. 28, DeBoer and Smart will face off as Georgia visits Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. DeBoer had an impressive run with his former team, the Washington Huskies, achieving a 25-3 record, a Pac-12 title, and a national championship appearance in two seasons. Throughout his career, spanning both NAIA and D1 football, DeBoer has an outstanding record of 104-12.

Looking ahead, the Alabama Crimson Tide will kick off the 2024 college football season against Western Kentucky.