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Alabama ‘safe’ hire on paper Kalen DeBoer is ironic and risky in reality
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Alabama ‘safe’ hire on paper Kalen DeBoer is ironic and risky in reality
ATHENS — Alabama has made its coaching hire, and it’s as ironic as it is ambitious.
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Nice read Mr Mike. Some really good nuggets.
I will give Beboer credit for having the Alpha jevos to take this job but having no ties int he south will hut Bama in recruiting. I can guarantee that there will be transfers a coming. I will take Binds for sure and Oatis.
When Saban was hired at LSU what were his ties to the South? None. He was coming from Michigan St and Toledo before that. It's funny you're writing an article about a risky hire of an outsider when at one time all this could've been said about Saban himself
@CClayC88 Saban had NFL coaching experience and proven he could build a Power 5 program -- DeBoer looks good, but only two years at Washington is a smaller sample size, particularly when you consider he had a wizard QB both years to work with. This hire may work out, but it's risking not going with someone who has SEC experience or some even loose ties with Saban or the NFL.
Saban was also an assistant at Navy, Ohio St, Syracuse, and Kent St. The closest Saban had been to the South before LSU was West Virginia. 7 titles later I ask how did the lack of ties to the South hurt him? And that doesn't even include the debacle with the Dolphins between the Bayou Tigers and the Tide. I suppose if he had been born south of the Mason-Dixon line he would have have won 12 titles in the SEC
The CFBNC game was closer than the final score. MI last TD was a result of a 90(?) yard INT return resulting in a late score and 14 pt swing. WA would have even been closer if their WR's didn't drop multiple passes and Penix hit more of his open WR's.
2 things will quickly determine how successful the new coach will be. 1) can he keep this team and hold this class ('24) together? 2) does AL have its usual top 2 recruiting class in '25? Saban was an elite recruiter and until this season(?) delivered a championship to every recruiting class. W/o Saban what's in Tuscaloosa to continue to attract elite players?
Saban was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, south of the Mason Dixon Line.
CClayC88, Saban hired Southern coaches that could recruit the southeast when he was at LSU, and when he first got to Bama, he had a losing record at Michigan State.
Cojones aside he is in for a huge culture shock. And Bama fans are the most unforgiving in the country. Alabama has won 16 national championships, only Yale has won more. But Yale's last was in 1927. Alabama has won 13 since 1961. I have to agree with Spurrier in his 2 to 3 year assessment and I hate Spurrier.
Kirby knows SEC. (By Mike Griffith, Dawgnation Staff -"Smart is one phone call from getting the book on DeBoer, Dan Lanning, Line 1".) You betcha.😎
@MikeGriffith Good write up Mike. I think it won’t take long at all for DeBoer to wish he was back at WA. This is the SEC a whole different animal from the places he’s been. More over Bama And Trying to replace Saban !! He’s got a tough, tough job in front of him !!
Now what will be even more interesting is will he Keep most of the current staff or out of trying to pass some favors to friends, bring in New staff ??
My advice would be he better keep the staff already there, with the proviso that IF some else is a Ultra High Quality Coach and Recruiter then Yeah bring someone like that in.
Most of the staff already there are probably very familiar with the recruiting trail, BUT they will have to transition into His system, His football philosophies etc.
IF he blows this it could set his career back substantially. As a long time and devout Dawgs fan I’m Not gonna wish him well !! Best sportsmanship I have is I hope none of his players sustain serious Season ending injuries. But I’m like that about our most hated rivals, I don’t wish injuries off on any players. Gonna be interesting to see how he fares !!
Being under transition shouldn’t this give Kirby and our Dawgs at least a slight edge in Sept. ??
Give the guy a break. They hired him. See what happens. Some of the names mentioned as former Saban’s assistants are in situations that they have cultivated and show great promise. They are under contracts for millions. How many millions does it take to live comfortably? Not everyone wants to go to Alabama because it is Alabama. They just might be able to do as well or better where they are. Ain’t that right Kirby?
Do you have any more examples other than the best of all-time who worked with and under the most Super Bowl winning Belichek in the NFL?
Meyer? He didn't last long as his offense got figured out by SEC defensive coaches and as soon as the best player in college football, Tim Tebow, was not there to carry him, he seen the writing on the wall and quit for "health reasons".
Who else you other than the "GOAT".
Pardon me, the temporary GOAT. Kirby will take that after he wins Natty after Natty after Natty...
Anyway. One example. An extreme one. I mean sure this guy could be of the same cloth as Saban. Odds are very high though, that he is not.
NIL may be there saving grace
1st, Kirby is at Georgia because it is Georgia. Georgia is the current powerhouse and dynasty in college football. Who would leave that?
It is not that they didn't or wouldn't want to go Alabama because it is Alabama if they were offered, they sure would! Its because they were "safer" where they are. That simple. Alabama is a different beast that will take your career and devour it and quick if you fail. Because you have everything you need for success handed to you on a silver platter. There are NO EXCUSES IF YOU FAIL! Mr Deboer might find that his reality was that he was far safer where he was too.
Back to Kirby. Also Kirby grew up in Georgia. Kirby Smart graduated from UGA. Kirby Smart was a 1st team ALL-SEC PLAYER for UGA. He was a 4-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection at UGA. His FIRST coaching job was at UGA under Jim Donnan. He bounced around for a few years and was a RB coach under Richt at UGA. Then he went and got trained by the master so he could come bring GLORY BACK TO HIS BELOVED ALMA MATER GEORGIA BULLDOGS!
Kirby was never an option for that job. Kirby's agent may have made the obligatory phone call and it lasted less than a minute. Kirby is in a category all by himself when it comes to former assistants. He, out of everybody on the planet though could replace Saban and easily. He is the best fit on the planet for that job. None of the rest were offered it or they knew deep down they could not handle it if they were. I am sure Swinney wasn't. I am sure Kiffin wasn't. 2 or 3 may have had a real chance like Lanning, Sark and Ryans. But they were in much safer situations and they were smart and stayed safe!
But Kirby is at home. Home. Unlike any other assistant. None of the rest are at home. There is zero consideration for him to take the Alabama job or any other job. Except maybe the NFL. And Alabama is not the NFL.
Good article, Mike.
There is a big upside for him should he succeed at Alabama but success is defined as equalling or exceeding Saban at Saban's best. He won't be compared to Saban's weaker seasons.
It's possible this guy does a great job at Alabama. We'll see. Frankly, I'm not entirely sure that he's made a smart decision taking the job. He will have a long row to hoe especially considering the probably unrealistic expectations built into any deal with Alabama.
I've not seen anything about the money. Does he have JImbo's Golden Parachute Package™ to cushion the fall should he be great but not quite great enough to please the Gumps? What was he making at Washington? What will he make at Alabama?
Somehow this reminds me of Dan Mullen and Billy Napier.
Go, Dawgs!
Good points, Mike. Alabama will likely spin it as DeBoer was their first choice, but everyone knows that someone from the tree of Saban was the desired option. The fact that none even interviewed for the job is telling.
I've read that "Saban will have an office in the building." Having the GOAT there and on-hand for advice early in the transition is a positive, but for how long. How long before DeBoer thinks it's too much?
I wonder if DeBoer really knows what he's signed up for. Coming in with the most talent in CFB already on-hand is a no excuses situation, the opposite of a rebuild where any failure will be reflected back on the new piece in the process. It's going to be something to see...
The SEC is a different beast than the weak Pac12. If he makes it 3 years and no title, SEC or National at Bama, I'd be shocked if he isn't replaced..GoDAWGS!
@SmartsTheMan I read that Saban's office will not be in the Athletic Building but in an Administrative Building and it's unclear how much time he will actually be in Tuscaloosa. He has filed for permanent residence in Florida.