Kalen DeBoer’s second season as Alabama football’s head coach will be crucial to his Tuscaloosa legacy. The Crimson Tide underachieved by Nick Saban’s lofty standard last season, winning nine games and missing the College Football Playoff, but still showed up in big moments throughout the year, beating the likes of Georgia and LSU.

Ahead of Year 2, DeBoer sat down with AL.com’s Beat Everyone podcast to discuss a wide range of topics. He chatted about the Crimson Tide’s quarterback situation, with Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell all competing for the job of replacing Jalen Milroe behind center.

He also talked about the addition of Ryan Grubb as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. DeBoer and Grubb worked together throughout their careers, most recently in 2023, when they led Washington to a national title appearance before DeBoer took the UA job and Grubb spent a year with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

“Having Ryan here just really takes it to another level, because of how long I’ve known him and the experiences we’ve had together,” DeBoer said. “The things we’ve talked through. It allows us to be very efficient, whether it’s coming off the practice or in his office, my office or wherever we’re at. Being able to talk through the situations that we’re or or might be coming our way.”

DeBoer also answered a handful of quick questions during a lightning round, including his favorite movies, southern food group, why he likes going for fourth downs and which of Alabama’s two uniform combinations is his favorite. The interview is now available to watch on YouTube, and can be heard wherever podcasts are distributed, including Spotify, Apple and more.