Paul Finebaum Reveals If Kalen DeBoer Can Truly Fill Nick Saban's Shoes At Alabama

For the first time in 17 years, Nick Saban will no longer be roaming the sidelines for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Saban announced his retirement after last season, finishing with 297 wins, seven national championships and 11 SEC championships.

Saban's total wins rank No. 6 all-time, but his seven national championships put him at No. 1. It's clear that new head coach Kalen DeBoer has big shoes to fill. However, DeBoer is also an accomplished coach with an impressive 89.7% win percentage.

He is most notably known for quickly turning around the Washington Huskies. In his two seasons, the Huskies went 25-3 after finishing 4-8 the year before he arrived. Last season, they won the Pac-12 championship and made it to the national championship game before losing to Michigan.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum believes DeBoer can fill Saban's shoes at Alabama, but doubts he'll match Saban's incredible career.

"I think he will," Finebaum said. "I think he's a very good coach. In many ways one of the best coaches in the country. But that's what we're talking about here. Nick Saban was a magician. He won games that he shouldn't have. He did things that nobody has ever done before."

Finebaum stated that DeBoer will be evaluated based on his ability to replicate some of Saban's accomplishments. Finebaum expressed confidence that Alabama will continue to experience success under DeBoer's leadership.

However, Finebaum concluded that DeBoer's run won't be like Saban's because he doesn't feel anyone is in the same league as arguably the greatest coach of all time.

Related: Paul Finebaum Gives Honest Opinion Of Alabama's Preseason Ranking