Kalen DeBoer’s coaching resume was a selling point when he took over Alabama football. Success has followed DeBoer from Sioux Falls to Fresno State and Washington. DeBoer built a reputation as an offensive guru through his 26-year career, most recently turning Michael Penix Jr. into one of the most prolific passers in the country with the Huskies.

Yet, DeBoer has never led solely a defense. Like most coaches known for their prowess on one side of the ball, DeBoer tasks most of the non-defensive game-planning to his coordinators. He is expected to do the same with the Crimson Tide and defer to friend and former South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 “swarm” scheme.

At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, AL.com asked former Huskies for insight into DeBoer’s involvement with the defense through his time in Seattle.

“I think the thing about head coaches is that you try not to micromanage every single thing,” all-Pac-12 first-team linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio said. “I think ‘KD’ does a great job of trusting his staff and trusting that like, obviously he has (Ryan) Grubb. He doesn’t micromanage Grubb and tell him what to do. He does the same thing with (Chuck) Morrell and (William) Inge.” “In terms of like, ‘Hey, I trust you to make these decisions.’ If there’s something drastic, then he’s gonna intervene, but he trusts his coaches a lot.”

Washington allowed 24.8 points per game to opponents last season, which ended in Michigan losing the national championship. Morrell and Inge — who briefly followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa to coach linebackers before leaving for the same role with Tennessee — also ran a 4-2-5 formation. In what Ulofoshio called the best conference in college football last fall, UW allowed 38.5% of third-down conversions and ranked 56th in team defense.

Edge players Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui said DeBoer would occasionally watch the defense’s practice and offer encouragement. DeBoer would intervene if something “drastic” was needed, per Ulofoshio, but he didn’t elaborate on specific adjustments. Tupuola-Fetui said if that did happen, it was likely “behind closed doors” before Grubb and Morrell were tasked with the installation.

“He wasn’t too involved with the defense too much being an offensive-minded coach. He still had his hand in all of it, making sure we’re all working hard, playing as one unit, firing on all pistons,” Trice said.

Nick Saban was known for his defensive mind with the Crimson Tide. Players on this past year’s Alabama roster jokingly labeled the secondary as Saban’s “babies.” Longtime defensive coordinator Kevin Steele reaffirmed that it’s a Saban-led defense when asked during the Rose Bowl about an increasing role for Travaris Robinson (now at Georgia).

Wommack and co. will need to replace eight starters, many of whom are in Indianapolis from pass rushers Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell and boundary cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Defensive back Malachi Moore, linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive lineman Jeheim Oats are anticipated to grow as leaders while improving their level of play.

Wommack spoke to “The Next Round” on Wednesday about meeting with Saban last week. The seven-time national champion and new UA coordinator shared notes and tips. Wommack will get the chance to work with players when Alabama’s spring practice kicks off Monday, March 4.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].