Kalen DeBoer is proving to be the right successor choice for Nick Saban. At least by the way he's taking and responding to the incessant criticism.
Things have been tough for the Crimson Tide lately, with discipline problems coming to the surface and weakening their performance, accounting for two losses against Vanderbilt and Tennessee; shocking teams for Alabama to lose against. Well, at least Vanderbilt, anyway/
But the number is more than shocking, it's depressing for Bama fans, as just one more loss and they'll be out of the playoff picture, let alone of the National Championship.
The rage in Tuscaloosa because of this is palpable.
However, DeBoer is owning up now. More than owning up, the Alabama head coach is re-kindling the hope of making it to the playoff among the fans, showing them how he and his team are not ready to give up just yet.
"I still feel like, (with what) my experiences have been, there’s too much football left," DeBoer said in a press conference during Missouri week. "I already heard in the locker room from our players. They understand the big picture is one thing. In order to make the big picture relevant, we have to take care of what’s in front of us. We have to continue to build, do what the championship teams do, build on what championship-caliber teams do, build on your belief, build on your intensity and everything that you do. And then just have some grit."
The grit is exactly what has been missing in the past three games against Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Luckily, it's mid-season so they can still have a shot at turning it around.
"There’s so many things that can change between now and then. So that’s really, as Kane [Wommack] had said, that’s really where our focus is at. It’s just on this game, 1-0," DeBoer added (h/t On3 ).
Kalen DeBoer asserts the capability of his Alabama Crimson Tide
Along with the Bama head coach, his players have also been getting heat for not playing like they did in their first four games. Proving that he's not just a head coach, but a good leader as well, DeBoer stepped up to defend his roster against any criticism and reminded how talented and "capable" they are of unlocking that championship-level dream.
"I firmly believe this team is capable of that. We just got to jump over that line, that is a fine line, of winning and losing, what it takes to be great. And we have the people here that are going to work hard, do everything they can within their means to make that happen. So I’m excited to get back to work," DeBoer said.
While DeBoer has made some bold, impressive statements, he and his team will need to follow them up with equally impressive performances as they take on the Missouri Tigers this Saturday; the first step towards their championship dream.
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