Alabama Offensive Line Coach Recaps Decision to Join DeBoer in Tuscaloosa

Once Alabama chose Kalen DeBoer as the man to follow Nick Saban, DeBoer began his mission of assembling his first coaching staff in Tuscaloosa.

Most coaching changes happen at the end of November and the beginning of December while most staffs are filled out through bowl season.

When DeBoer was hired, the college football season had ended and most programs were already moving on to winter workouts and preparing for spring football.

Some of DeBoer's decisions were easy as he brought over multiple coaches from his Washington staff while some such as bringing defensive coordinator Kane Wommack over from South Alabama took more persuasion.

Alabama defensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, who had just joined Baylor's staff late in 2023, described his and his family's seamless transition.

"They love it," Kapilovic said when asked if his family likes Tuscaloosa. "My son's transition to Northridge (high school) has been just awesome. You know, he plays football."

His family's desire to allow Kapilovic to chase his dream and be happy to follow him wherever he goes has been monumental in the coach's journey.

"I guess I felt bad for my family cause it had been such tumultuous year (in 2023). My son was a junior in high school, about to be a senior. We had just moved. Got him in (high school). He was happy where he was," Kapilovic said. "So if they both would've said, 'I can't do it (the move to Tuscaloosa),' I would've had to have really thought about how we would've approached that, but I didn't have to do that because they were ready to go."

Kapilovic's effect on the sidelines for Alabama is key as the offensive line looks leaner and more versatile. Along with impacting the team, Kapilovic benefits from DeBoer's morning practice schedule that allows coaches to be with their families more for dinners and for Kapilovic to see his son play football on Friday nights.

Related: Alabama Looking To Avenge Last Year's Disaster Against USF In Week 2