People debate endlessly on the possible coach likely to replace Nick Saban. There is a whole list of candidates, but Lane Kiffin has always stood out in every way. After 9 years spent in the Crimson Tide’s team and a strong connection to the program, Kiffin looked like a perfect fit for the job.

He is a famous name in college football, who worked with the top teams, and his personality would have brought the perfect continuation of Saban’s reign. Still, Kiffin never really entered the discussion in earnest, even though he wanted the position. John Talty, who co-authored “The Price: What It Takes To Win In College Football’s Era of Chaos,” came up with some facts on X that explicitly explained why Kiffin never got the chance. In Talty’s account, “He wanted the job and tried to get into the mix but could not get into the mix.”

It is quite intriguing because Kiffin has always had the reputation of being the guy who could fill Saban’s vacancy. However, to this day, there is no clear consensus as to why the Alabama administration never regarded him as the right man for the job though he has got wealth of experience and ties to the Crimson Tide.

Thus, where else did Alabama look? Well, the spotlight was shifted to Kalen DeBoer a coach who coached at Fresno State before moving to Washington. DeBoer was considered more introverted, and more calculated than the flashy Saban: the right man for the job. Although DeBoer does not have the same swagger as Kiffin, his experience in efficient coaching, and his relaxed character, make him somebody who will lead Alabama to the next level.

The unexpected journey of Kalen DeBoer

It’s interesting to think about what might have happened if Kiffin had landed the job. He is fearless in his coaching style, which would’ve surely maintained Alabama college football’s dominance. But the truth of the matter is that college football is not what you can see and which team is better, it all falls on the coach. Alabama decided to turn to someone like DeBoer: less flashy but similarly competent, indicating that perhaps they wanted a different brand of leadership in the team after Saban. 

Kalen DeBoer who is now a top candidate for Alabama’s head coaching position, it was not a usual trail. Unlike Kiffin, who was well-known in the market, DeBoer built his reputation through hard work and dedication over the years. Before joining Washington State he was at Fresno State where he managed to build the team from scratch and make it competitive in a short period. 

After moving to Washington, DeBoer stabilized this team and made a great season, resulting in him as one of the best up-and-coming in college football. This is purely far from Kiffin. While Kiffin is very aggressive, DeBoer is smart in his observations.

Although fans would be more excited about the presence of Lane Kiffin’s name on the list, hiring DeBoer is a wise move as it will pay off in the long run. His coaching philosophy aligns with the values that have made Alabama great under Saban: discipline, hard work, and concentration on basic and simple aspects of the game. In choosing DeBoer, Alabama made it clear they were willing to go hard after a coach that prioritizes stability and long-term success.