Kalen DeBoer didn’t get to leave the interview with an easy question. Instead, he fielded a fun but tought one.

Who’s the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time), Nick Saban or Paul “Bear” Bryant?

“I’m not answering that,” DeBoer said, laughing. “I’m not answering that one. That one’s not getting answered.”

DeBoer is only entering his second season in Tuscaloosa, but he’s smart enough not to pick a side in that debate.

“We’ve got a few G.O.A.T.s,” DeBoer said. “That’s for sure. It’s amazing what’s been accomplished. Even sitting in the room, I know people can’t see it, but looking at the pictures of the greatness that’s happened in this program, it’s special. Can’t wait to have a season and seasons ahead that continue to build on what they’ve put so much time into.”

DeBoer spoke with AL.com while sitting in a recruiting lounge just outside his office as part of the latest episode of “Beat Everyone” an AL.com Alabama football podcast. The full show will be released Monday night, accessible on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

DeBoer sat facing a wall with photos of Bryant and Saban. Each won six national championships at Alabama, albeit in different eras. Saban won seven total in his career, one more than Bryant. Bryant (323) won more games than Saban (292).

It depends on your measuring stick as for which coach deserves the title of “G.O.A.T.” more, but there’s no denying both coaches belong in the conversation.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.