Nick Saban: Alabama has 'same culture they had when I was the coach' under Kalen DeBoer

Although he’s not on the sidelines every week, Nick Saban is still around the Alabama program in some capacity. Before he headed to Ireland with ESPN’s College GameDay, he caught a scrimmage as Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide get ready for the season.

What Saban saw seemed familiar. He saw plenty of similarities to his operation in Tuscaloosa during his time as head coach.

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Saban said the culture didn’t look like it missed a beat after the high-profile coaching change. He thought DeBoer’s team resembled those from the last 17 years with how they looked during the scrimmage.

“All I can tell you is I went and watched last week’s scrimmage on Saturday, and that team still has the same culture they had when I was the coach,” Saban said. “They play with toughness, they play with great effort, they execute well, they’ve got good discipline. So Kalen has done a really good job.”

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Expectations remain high at Alabama under DeBoer, who’s fresh off a national title game appearance last season at Washington. All eyes are going to be on Jalen Milroe, who took big strides under Saban in 2023 and will now lead DeBoer’s high-powered offense with new coordinator Nick Sheridan in his ear.

But the offense isn’t the unit that stood out to Nick Saban during last week’s scrimmage. During SEC Media Days, he had some questions about a defense that notably lost Caleb Downs to the transfer portal, as well as Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold to the NFL Draft. Based on what he saw, Saban said Alabama is in good position on that side of the ball.

“He’s had to replace some players because so many guys transferred,” Saban said. “But I really think Alabama with Jalen Milroe, the two running backs that they have. I was worried about the defense. But I think the defense really impressed me in the scrimmage, that they have come along.

“So if they can play the kind of defense – especially in the secondary because they lost so many players in the secondary – they’re gonna be right up there challenging people.”

Alabama will officially get the Kalen DeBoer era underway on Aug. 31 at Bryant-Denny Stadium against Western Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.