From the first day Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer took the job in January, it was clear his personality was very different from the legendary coach he replaced, Nick Saban. In terms of demeanor, the upbeat and approachable DeBoer couldn't be more of a contrast with Saban, whose smiles — particularly in the fall — could be few and far between.
Three games into DeBoer's debut UA season , it's becoming more clear how much the two differ in terms of game management, as well.
For one example, the new Crimson Tide coaching staff is substituting with players off the bench earlier in games, and more liberally, than Saban staffs would. But perhaps the most glaring difference became apparent with the Crimson Tide 's last possession of the first half during Saturday's 42-10 win over Wisconsin . From its own 27-yard line and with only 36 seconds left until halftime, Alabama struck for two explosive pass plays in just 17 seconds to extend its lead to 21-3 entering the break. Jalen MIlroe connected with freshman Ryan Williams on the right sideline for 47 yards, and immediately followed with a 26-yard touchdown pass on a corner route to Germie Bernard . It was a back-breaking score from Wisconsin's perspective, one that largely put the outcome out of reach for the Badgers .
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And probably a chance Saban wouldn't have taken.
In similar situations, Saban was known to let the clock run out, happy enough with a halftime lead on the road. The seven-time national championship coach had his reasons, beginning with the impact a turnover might have. Had Alabama lost a fumble or thrown an interception in the final minute, Wisconsin could have cut into the Alabama lead and seized major momentum going into the half. Even a penalty or two, or perhaps a third-down sack, might have presented the Badgers with a reason to call a timeout, force a punt, and make something happen with a quick possession of their own. Saban also usually had a dominant defense he could count on enough to win against anyone, anywhere, with ball-control football.
As for DeBoer's approach? Here's how he described it Monday: "We had 36 seconds, you've got a field goal kicker you believe in, and I think three timeouts. You've got a lot working for you."
Nothing wrong with that logic, and the aggressiveness certainly paid off against Wisconsin. DeBoer also noted that there was confidence in Milroe's pass protection, based on how the Badgers pass rush had been handled up until that point, that was part of the decision to go for points. Ultimately, it worked out well, but had Alabama committed a turnover instead, DeBoer might've had to answer for being too aggressive. After all, coaching decisions are invariably judged on the hindsight of outcome, not the foresight of strategy.
Saban was a clock-management master. His timeouts were always timely, and when he had a late lead, he could bleed out the clock with what he called his "four-minute offense" with great effectiveness. DeBoer might also have a fine plan for killing the clock; because Alabama pulled away from South Florida in the fourth quarter of Week 2, we've not yet seen DeBoer manage a game that's close in the final minutes.
But we now know he's not always going to play it safe.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How Alabama football's Kalen DeBoer differs from Saban on game day
