3 tasks Kalen DeBoer will need to complete quickly as Alabama’s head coach
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3 tasks Kalen DeBoer will need to complete quickly as Alabama’s head coach

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Alabama football has its man to replace Nick Saban. Washington’s Kalen DeBoer is coming to Tuscaloosa, after leading the Huskies to a national championship game appearance in 2023.

There’s much to be done with the Crimson Tide. Given that it’s already late in the cycle for hiring coaches, DeBoer will have his work cut out immediately.

Here are three things the new coach will need to do immediately after getting to Tuscaloosa.

Keep the roster together

Alabama players got an extra 30-day window to enter the transfer portal following Saban’s departure. Wide receiver and Iron Bowl hero Isaiah Bond reportedly already filed paperwork to enter.

Saban asked his players to remain committed to Alabama. He told them that the school will hire a good coach and their development will continue.

But that’s not how college football works in 2024. DeBoer will have to convince the key players on Alabama’s roster that it’s in their best interest to stay at Alabama after commit to play for a coach who’s no longer running the show.

Figure out recruiting

For Alabama to meet expectations in the coming seasons, recruiting can’t fall off. Saban got the Tide to the highest heights in that category, and DeBoer will need to be diligent to make sure UA remains in that stratosphere.

Ryan Williams already decommitted. Coaches from other schools will be in the ears of Alabama’s recruits, whispering that with Saban no longer in charge, it’s worth exploring other options.

Stabilizing the recruiting situation has to happen immediately for the sake of the future. DeBoer also needs to prove to fans he can recruit the south well and fast, or discontent will rise.

Hire a staff

Alabama reportedly tried to bring in Ryan Grubb, Washington’s offensive coordinator, last season. Perhaps the Tide will have a chance to do so again.

A new coach means staff turnover. How much of Saban’s final Alabama coaching group will remain with the Crimson Tide?

There’s complications from the Washington side too, should UW opt to promote from within. DeBoer will need to figure all that out quickly upon arrival.