Kalen DeBoer on embracing celebrity status as Alabama's head football coach: 'It's an honor'

There may not be a more famous person in the state of Alabama than the Crimson Tide’s football coach. It’s a new level of status that Kalen DeBoer has had to adjust to since taking over in T-Town.

DeBoer spoke about the prominence of his new position on ‘The Ryen Russillo Podcast’ to end last week. He said it’s privilege for him to have that level of notoriety, even though it was something that needed to be prefaced to him before he took the job.

“Yeah. It’s an honor,” said DeBoer. “It’s an honor, for sure.”

“Again, those were things that I kind of had a heads up on to really truly make sure I understood coming here,” DeBoer said.

DeBoer didn’t have to think long about examples of how that support has been present to him thus far. He felt it from the very moment he arrived upon accepting the role to take the place of Nick Saban. It has since continued throughout his time in town so far, specifically at A-Day for the program this spring.

“When my family and I landed in Tuscaloosa that night, it felt like thousands of people there to celebrate this opportunity,” recalled DeBoer.

“It’s fun seeing the support. It’s fun right now in May. For example, about every night, three to four times a week? You get a chance to get out and 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. “The spring game was a great example. 72,000 people there celebrating our team, celebrating this program. I can go on and on.”

Still, with that said, that high esteem that many hold him in now is because of the expectations. Some of it may go away if ‘Bama were to struggle this fall during his debut season. Yet it could also amplify if they were to find success early on in his tenure.

However, it’s all a part of what comes with the role as Alabama’s head coach. It’s one that comes with a lot of responsibility with what all it represents to the state, to their fanbase, and to the sport of college football on a day in, day out basis.

“Man, you know, 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, not just on Saturdays but year-round,” DeBoer said.