Nick Saban Explains Why He’s Staying Away From Alabama While Praising Kalen DeBoer

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For the first time in nearly 50 years, the football season is set to begin with Nick Saban coaching at some level on the sidelines.

Saban called it quits following the 2023 season, leaving the reins of the Alabama Crimson Tide program to new coach Kalen DeBoer.

But despite the temptation, Saban says he’s managed to keep his distance from the Alabama program in the leadup to the season.

“Kalen has done a great job taking over this program,” Saban said of DeBoer on ESPN’s College GameDay. “He’s got the right disposition about him. He embraced the tradition. He embraced the culture. But he put his own mark on how he wanted to coach the team.

“When they practiced. How they played. What the offense was. What the defense is gonna be. So I am really, really excited about what Kalen’s gonna do for Alabama.”

That comment led co-host Kirk Herbstreit to ask Saban about his involvement with the program. But the legendary head coach says he’s trying to give DeBoer space to make his mark on the program.

“I’ve tried to stay out of the way,” Saban answered. “I did sit in the press box and watch one scrimmage … I just kind of back off. If he calls and asks I’m glad to give him my opinion on something.”

That’s a far cry from Saban’s biting criticism of the Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day.

Saban said later in the show that the Buckeyes are “s— outta luck” if they didn’t get the right mix of players when assembling their $20 million roster.

Both Alabama and Ohio State are considered national title contenders this season alongside stalwarts Georgia, Oregon and Texas.

If DeBoer could somehow bring a national championship to Tuscaloosa in his first season, any questions fans may have had about his hiring would quickly go out the door.