How do you fill in for one of the greatest to ever do it? Tuscaloosa will find out as new Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer is set to start his tenure with the Crimson Tide.

The University formally announced DeBoer’s hire on Friday, and per Greg Byrne’s Twitter, the plane is en route to the same airfield that Saban landed in for his arrival in 2007. In DeBoer’s first public statement since accepting the job, he commented on succeeding Saban.

“I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence. The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward,” DeBoer said. “Following Coach Saban is an honor. He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented. I would not have left Washington for just any school.”

Saban reportedly finalized his decision to retire after a career that spanned seven national titles on Wednesday minutes before a team meeting. That started a self-imposed 72-hour clock for Greg Byrne, according to reports, and it ended with the Tide landing DeBoer, who finished as a runner-up to Michigan in last Monday’s national championship.

Saban has six national titles with Alabama and nine SEC championships. DeBoer has three NAIA trophies with Sioux Falls and won the Pac-12 wth Washington in his second season with the Huskies.

DeBoer continued: “The chance to lead the football program at The University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime. My family and I feel truly blessed and look forward to becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. I want to thank Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, President Stuart R. Bell, Chancellor Finis St. John and The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees for their belief in me to lead this program.

The 28th head coach of the Crimson Tide will be introduced on Saturday at a 1 p.m. press conference in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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