Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne had the challenge of needing to replace arguably the greatest college football coach of all time when Nick Saban retired in January.
Byrne picked Washington’s Kalen DeBoer as the replacement.
DeBoer’s first season as Alabama coach is almost done, with one game to go. DeBoer will coach the Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan on Tuesday, Jan. 31 in Tampa.
Before the bowl game, Byrne was asked on Tide 100.9 on Thursday to judge DeBoer’s first season with Alabama. Here’s what Byrne said.
“Tell you what, obviously taking over in a very historical transition,” Byrne said. “I’m proud of the job from the second he hit the ground here in working with the team and being respectful of the history of what we do here and at the same time, having the ability to tweak things in the way he wants to lead the program. I mentioned a couple of games that were tough for us. The kids have really bought in. I know what Jalen (Milroe) said after the Iron Bowl this year, how he feels about Coach DeBoer and his staff. I’m really proud of the leadership he’s shown through this very historical transition and look forward to a very bright future.”
DeBoer is tied for the second-best winning percentage for a first-year Alabama coach in the past century at 75% with a 9-3 record. That ties him with Wallace Wade, who went 7-2-1. If DeBoer wins the ReliaQuest Bowl, he will be in sole possession of second all-time, behind only Frank Thomas with a 9-1 (90%) record.
