Kalen DeBoer Opens Up About Being More Of A Celebrity These Days

06/05/2024 00:27

Kalen DeBoer coached in the National Championship Game earlier this year, but he'll garner a brighter spotlight at Alabama.

The Crimson Tide hired DeBoer to replace Nick Saban, who wrapped up one of the most decorated careers in college football history. Few teams mean more to an area than Alabama football, so DaBoer has quickly garnered fame in Tuscaloosa.

During an interview with The Ringer's Ryen Russillo, DeBoer called it an "honor" to step into a role that Russillo likened to an elected state official.

"It's fun seeing the support. ... Seeing the excitement around this program and what it's built up to be, it's just a pleasure to be around all these people," DeBoer said, via On3. "The spring game was a great example. 72,000 people there celebrating our team, celebrating this program."

DeBoer said he was warned about the extra notoriety before accepting the job. He saw how much Alabama football means to everyone when fans gathered to welcome his family as they arrived in Tuscaloosa. 

"You realize what football means to the state of Alabama, what this program means, and how it's such a great, uniting piece that just brings everyone together," he said. "Not just on Saturdays, but year-round."

DeBoer will instantly face immense expectations to keep a juggernaut firing on all cylinders. The Crimson Tide have notched double-digit victories in each of the last 16 seasons and made eight of 10 College Football Playoffs.

After winning 25 games in his final two years at Washington, DeBoer has a chance to become one of the game's most famous coaches in Alabama.