Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer stepped out in style for the Crimson Tide's game against Vanderbilt.
Days before the matchup, The Tuscaloosa News was told by DeBoer's new tailor Ramesh Kripalani to expect for the second-year coach to be "dressed better than Nick Saban."
When DeBoer showed up for his "College GameDay" appearance on Saturday, Oct. 4, he delivered on Kripalani's promise, fitted in a sports coat and trousers measured up just for him.
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Kripalani said that the linen-blend jacket, featuring a windowpane pattern, arrived from Hong Kong by next-day air shipping in order for DeBoer to have it before his pregame appearance on "College GameDay."
DeBoer's fit embodied Alabama tradition down to the details, from its light crimson color to the silky, houndstooth-patterned lining and matching pocket square in a true, bold crimson. The lapel even has a working buttonhole, suitable for a boutonniere — or in DeBoer's case, an Alabama pin — while the inside of the coat is embroidered with a Script A and, of course, "Roll Tide."
The coat also has surgeon's cuffs. While DeBoer won't be using the working buttonholes for their intended purpose in the late 19th century, which was to help surgeons quickly roll up their sleeves to operate without having to remove their jackets, they're a staple of the bespoke tailoring he has received.
DeBoer's jacket is a custom creation, but if it looks familiar, it should. Kripalani said that DeBoer wanted a sports coat just like one that was made for Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats, who is also dressed by Kripalani's Hong Kong Tailors in Birmingham.
Initially, Kripalani resisted a remake, but he said DeBoer insisted as he and Oats coach different sports.
Since DeBoer arrived from Washington after Saban's exit, he was subject to criticism for his regular black hoodie on the sidelines — until fans realized he was winning in it. Kripalani even said he told DeBoer, "People are complaining that you look awful."
According to Kripalani, he's seeing to it that DeBoer's days of fashion faux pas are over. To be clear, Kripalani is not advising that DeBoer ditch the black hoodie on the sidelines. But the grey suits that DeBoer has been seen in up to this point? If it's up to Kripalani, they will be long gone.
"We're getting rid of all of your crappy suits," Kripalani told DeBoer, adding that DeBoer's wife Nicole and daughters Alexis and Avery agreed.
Kripalani expects that DeBoer's wardrobe, including three sports coats, two suits, six shirts and new pairs of trousers, will be completed in its entirety by Oct. 20.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Inside tailor-made wardrobe upgrade for Alabama football's Kalen DeBoer
