Kalen DeBoer channels Nick Saban with his message to Alabama players
Mar 21, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer blows his whistle during practice at the University Alabama Thursday. Photo Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer guided his team to a massive win over Georgia on Saturday. Two days later, he was already channeling Nick Saban in terms of navigating its aftermath.
The Crimson Tide shot to No. 1 in the Top 25 following their dramatic 41-34 win over Georgia, and DeBoer is clearly concerned about a letdown. Charlie Potter of BamaOnLine posted Monday that several mouse traps have been scattered around Alabama’s facility, evidently as a message to players about complacency.
Saw a couple of these at the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility today.
Clear messaging after a big win. pic.twitter.com/eQcCvpbD9v
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) September 30, 2024
Saban, of course, was famous for his references to “rat poison,” which he used to represent media praise that could distract his players. DeBoer is taking a similar approach — the message is clearly that he does not want players losing sight of the job ahead of them after such an emotional victory over a huge rival.
Alabama does have a fairly forgiving game at Vanderbilt on Saturday, an environment that even Saban couldn’t bring himself to worry about. Still, DeBoer cannot have his players looking past that matchup.
