Since Kalen DeBoer took over as Alabama’s head coach in January, it’s been clear that his style contrasts sharply with the legendary Nick Saban. While Saban’s intense demeanor and rare in-season smiles were hallmarks of his tenure, DeBoer brings a more upbeat and approachable presence to the sideline. Three games into DeBoer’s first season, it’s becoming evident that their differences extend beyond personality and into game management.
One key distinction is how DeBoer manages player rotations. The new Alabama staff is making substitutions earlier and more frequently than Saban’s ever did. However, the most striking difference emerged during Alabama’s 42-10 win over Wisconsin last weekend. With only 36 seconds left in the first half and Alabama on their own 27-yard line, DeBoer took a more aggressive approach. Instead of running out the clock, quarterback Jalen Milroe connected with freshman Ryan Williams for 47 yards, followed by a 26-yard touchdown pass to Germie Bernard just 17 seconds later. This decisive play pushed Alabama’s lead to 21-3 at halftime, essentially sealing the game.
This is a risk that Saban might not have taken. In similar situations, Saban often preferred to let the clock wind down, protecting the ball and going into halftime with a secure lead. His focus was on minimizing the chances of turnovers or giving the opposing team an opportunity to shift momentum. With a historically dominant defense, Saban felt confident that ball-control football would win games, no matter the circumstances.
DeBoer, on the other hand, explained his decision on Monday: “We had 36 seconds, you’ve got a field goal kicker you believe in, and I think three timeouts. You’ve got a lot working for you.” His confidence in both Milroe’s protection and Alabama’s ability to strike quickly informed his aggressive decision. While it paid off against Wisconsin, such choices can backfire if turnovers occur, as DeBoer acknowledged that coaching decisions are often judged based on results rather than strategy.
Saban, known for his masterful clock management, would often utilize his “four-minute offense” to grind out wins with precise control over time. While DeBoer hasn’t yet been tested in close, late-game situations this season, his aggressive approach shows that he’s willing to take calculated risks—something Alabama fans may need to get used to.
As Alabama’s season unfolds, DeBoer’s bold tactics may become a defining feature of his coaching style. Whether these risks will consistently pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Alabama under DeBoer won’t always play it safe.
