Explaining how nervous Alabama fans remain after coaching change

Even Alabama fans would have to admit the transition from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer is a bit nerve-wracking. DeBoer is thought to be one of the best head coaches in college football. But nobody will likely ever be at Saban’s level again after winning six national titles in Tuscaloosa.

Tim Watts of On3’s BOL explained some of the nervousness surrounding the program, saying a few deep breaths should be taken in Tuscaloosa. A couple of questions have been asked about supposed changes DeBoer has made on the day-to-day, with. Watts was quick to interject that Saban had the same policies in place.

“It would help if they could remember one year to the next,” Watts said during Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “Every year is like Groundhog’s Day except it’s for the whole year for us. After signing day, the Wednesday — they have the big meeting, they have the signing day, they meet with the Red Elephant Club. We saw an offensive coordinator announce he’s the offensive coordinator at Alabama, was gone Friday, at that big event.

“After that, they take a break. Saban gave them Thursday to Tuesday. Well, we have a discussion and I had several people say ‘Hey! Holy cow, this is new. Alabama is taking off in February?’ It was almost like a tsk tsk, gotcha moment. ‘Dude, it happened every damn year for 17 years under Nick Saban.'”

Staples was quick to point out how Alabama is playing music while on the practice field this spring. Or the media being allowed to view portions of the session, something Saban did not allow during his latter days with the Crimson Tide.

Still, at one point, Saban did allow for a media viewing session at different points. Watts uses it as an argument against those believing DeBoer is changing too many things.

“It’s just like the practice access. ‘Oh, Kalen DeBoer doesn’t take it serious if you have access to practice.’ Like Charlie Potter is going to influence a game. But Nick Saban did it as well. So, it would really help calm the nerves if they would really remember one year to the next. I’m kidding but I’m also kind of serious,” Watts said.

Changes will continue to roll in as DeBoer gets comfortable in Tuscaloosa. He has said on multiple occasions Saban will be around the give advice but it’s still his program. It’s hard to argue against DeBoer too after Washington made the national championship this past season.

Nerves will be there for Alabama fans until the fall when games begin to be played. One win against a big-time SEC opponent and all questions will be removed, even if Watts is trying to calm everyone down in March.