Kalen DeBoer reveals second superstition, game day routine

Kalen DeBoer’s black hoodie is the superstition that has swept the nation this season. His record with it has been well-documented — but apparently that’s not the only weekly tradition the Alabama head coach participates in.

“I still always go back to, and I’ve stayed at (the black hoodie), but I want to be careful that I stay consistent on it,” DeBoer said during his weekly coaches show. “I still feel it’s about what we do preparation-wise. But there are some things that are important to me. I have a coin.

“Really, very few people know this. I have a challenge coin that kind of goes back to, actually, Fresno State. Long story, but if you know what challenge coins are, I have one that’s an Alabama football one that’s made. And I put that in my back pocket every game.”

Challenge coins are something that were popularized in the military, and represent achievement, membership or affiliation to a specific group. It’s also seen as a symbol of pride and excellence.

For whatever reason DeBoer carries it, it appears to be something he does every week. DeBoer was at Fresno State from 2020-21, so it’s a superstition he’s carried with him for half a decade now.

Once his black hoodie is on and his coin is in his back pocket, DeBoer is ready for game day. But what does that look like? The Alabama head coach broke down what a home game looks like behind the scenes, from the perspective of the Crimson Tide’s head coach.

“From my position, the game day home and away is completely different,” DeBoer said. “This week, we’ll have at least 100 recruits that are here. So even when I get back tonight to the facility, they’ll have them lined up to call and have out pre-meetings on the phone.”

DeBoer’s game day in Tuscaloosa centers around recruiting, walkthroughs and team meals. All of that leads up to the moment the game begins.

“In the afternoon in the facility, we have recruit meetings in the locker room. Literally, I go from those meetings to walking out on the football field,” DeBoer said. “That’s the routine. It’s just being busy and taking care of the team in the middle of recruiting. That’s a big part of what’s going to build us for the future.”

This will be what DeBoer’s day looks like when Alabama hosts LSU during Week 11. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC.