Sports
When Nick Saban called time on his iconic Alabama coaching career in January 2024, many wondered if the Crimson Tide would remain the force of nature he had forged.
The transition from Saban‘s reign, a period marked by discipline, championships, and NFL-caliber talent, was never going to be simple.
Yet, under new head coach Kalen DeBoer,Alabama is not just surviving; it is beginning to carve out a new identity, one that could ultimately rival the consistency Saban made famous.
Saban‘s shadow is impossible to ignore in Tuscaloosa. He is often mentioned alongside coaching greats like Pete Carroll, and his legacy has set a benchmark that any successor will struggle to match.
Yet the big question for Alabama fans and national observers is no longer whether Saban is still secretly guiding the program’s recruiting efforts.
Instead, it is whether DeBoer can continue the relentless pursuit of excellence and build his own legend on the field.
Recent recruiting results suggest Alabama‘s momentum is holding strong. By On3’s tally, DeBoer and his staff have secured five five-star prospects for the class of 2026, exceeding recent years.
That is a testament to the program’s enduring appeal, even as a new coaching philosophy takes root.
On the popular “McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning” show, listeners pressed for answers about Saban‘s ongoing
influence. One fan asked: “How much do you guys think Saban is still involved with recruits? Isn’t that a huge factor?”
Analyst Cole Cubelic responded with candor: “I’d be lying to you if I told you I had any idea.” Greg McElroy, his co-host, downplayed the notion. “I don’t think that’s a factor,” he said.
Cubelic then offered a pointed comparison: “That’s like saying, ‘How much do you think Patrick Mahomes has to do with Texas Tech’s new recruiting success?’
“You’re not playing for the guy. He’s not going to be there. He’s not going to be talking to you. He’s not coaching you.”
McElroy stressed that Saban‘s real impact now is the culture and infrastructure he built, not hands-on involvement in the present.
DeBoer’s early success builds confidence
Saban‘s footprint on Alabama football is still visible in the expectations and traditions that remain. His two decades of dominance made “Where legends are made” more than a slogan-it became a national standard.
But Kalen DeBoer is quickly proving that the Crimson Tide brand is strong enough to withstand a change at the top.
Recent high-profile commitments underscore the point. When five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin chose Alabama in late June, some speculated that Saban‘s presence during the recruiting process was the decisive factor.
Griffin‘s mother, Jay Clay, put those rumors to rest: “Let me make this clear for @zay_social recruitment when it comes to Alabama.
“Makes me mad to hear @KalenDeBoer can’t recruit because our coach and his staff did a great job! I met Saban once, but he is not the one who offered or talked to us at any point.”
For this new generation of recruits, it is DeBoer and his staff who are making the critical connections.
It is worth noting that Saban‘s final full recruiting class was extraordinary by any measure. In 2023, he brought in seven five-star players, finishing with the country’s top recruiting class.
That foundation is still paying dividends, but Alabama‘s current surge makes it clear that the team is more than the sum of its history.
Even among college football’s most outspoken voices, the early returns under DeBoer have earned praise.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, often a barometer for the mood in the South, believes the transition has been nearly seamless.
“I think at this moment in time, Kalen DeBoer can do no wrong,” Finebaum said, adding, “He is dialing up everything on the recruiting trail.”
With another loaded class on the horizon and minimal losses to the transfer portal, Finebaum cited stability as DeBoer‘s early trademark.
“There’s stability in the program, and that goes back to not losing anyone in the portal,” Finebaum stated.
“And I really think that helps the momentum… The brand of Alabama remains large. As great as Nick Saban was, and he was, this program lives on.”
Still, the program’s ongoing success cannot rest on reputation alone. As DeBoer knows, Alabama fans expect results on Saturdays, not just on signing day.
Saban‘s blueprint may provide a roadmap, but ultimately, wins and championships will determine whether DeBoer‘s legacy can stand alongside his predecessor’s.
As the Crimson Tide prepare for another season under new leadership, the eyes of the college football world remain firmly fixed on Tuscaloosa.
For now, Kalen DeBoer has shown he can lead Alabama forward. The real test, though, will come when the fall lights are brightest and tradition meets the challenge of a new era.
This news was originally published on this post .
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