Nick Saban reiterates his support for Kalen DeBoer after recent troubles at Alabama

During an appearance on ESPN's “The Pat McAfee Show” Friday afternoon, former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban discussed the move for first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Saban moved from Austin to McAfee ahead of Saturday's top-five showdown between the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns. Among other things, Saban continued to praise DeBoer, saying that the coach needs to be himself and do things his own way.

“I think any time you take over a successful program, this is a difficult transition for Kalen,” Saban said. “I don't want to condemn what they do because I think he has to do what he does in his own way. He can't be me. He can’t try to be someone he’s not.”

DeBoer came to Tuscaloosa after a successful two-year coaching stint in Seattle with the Washington Huskies, a team he led to the College Football Playoff National Championship last season.

Prior to Washington, DeBoer coached at Fresno State for two seasons (2020-21), leading the Bulldogs to a 10-win campaign in 2021 and a New Mexico Bowl appearance before accepting the Washington job.

Previously, as head coach at Sioux Falls at the NAIA level, DeBoer led the program to three national championships in five seasons from 2005-09.

“I think the guy has been successful and I think his way will work,” Saban said of DeBoer. “I just think it's an adjustment for a lot of fans and people, but I think he'll win them over because he's a good guy and a good coach and has a good system and a good organization.”

“I’m just trying to support and assist him in any way I can so he can make a smooth transition.”

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Saban mentioned the transfer portal and the impact it had on Alabama's roster following his resignation in January.

“I think one thing that goes unacknowledged is the fact that when I retired, 26 players moved on. Nobody talks about it,” Saban said. “(Wide receiver) Isaiah Bond, who is a pretty good player, he would be an impact player if he was still at Alabama, especially with some of the players they have now. Then (offensive tackle Kadyn) Proctor goes, and then he comes back.

“Caleb Downs. Look, I looked at all the guys in the draft last year because I did the draft (for ESPN). He was a freshman, and if he had been a junior or senior in the draft, he probably would have been. “That's a pretty significant player and people don't talk about it. Well, they brought in a few people, but I think there will be a transition. He has to get his people there and he will get the opportunity to recruit them and do it.

Alabama (5-1 overall, 2-1 SEC) is ranked No. 7 in this week's USA LBM Coaches Poll. The Crimson Tide are in Knoxville this weekend for their annual third Saturday in October clash with the Tennessee Volunteers. Kick-off is at 2:30 p.m. The game can be seen on ABC.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Nick Saban reiterates his support for Kalen DeBoer after recent struggles in Alabama