The Crimson Tide rolled to victory in DeBoer’s first game in charge

Saturday marked a significant change for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team as they played their first game in 17 years without Nick Saban as head coach.

Although Saban announced his retirement in January and wasn’t on the sidelines, his influence remained strong.

New head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed that Saban called him before his debut—a win against Western Kentucky—to offer support as he stepped into his new role.

“We actually talked before the game. He gave me a call on Thursday, which was really meaningful for the team. He wanted me to let them know he’s thinking of them, wishing them the best, and cheering them on,” DeBoer shared on Monday.

“You can really see how much he cares about the program and the individuals in it. I made sure to pass that along because it’s important for everyone to hear, important from both sides.”

Although Saban is no longer coaching, he remains active in the world of college football.

On Saturday, he appeared on ESPN College GameDay in Texas but later traveled to Tuscaloosa for the evening kickoff, where he received a warm welcome from fans at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The reception is expected to be even more enthusiastic this Saturday against South Florida, when Alabama will honor Saban by naming the field after him. All former players from his tenure at Alabama have been invited to take part in the ceremony.

DeBoer expressed his excitement about the upcoming tribute: “It’s going to be an incredible night, naming the field in Coach Saban’s honor. That’s something truly special. While we’re focused on the game, being part of the ceremony means a lot. We have immense respect for Coach Saban and are committed to protecting our field just like it was during his 17 years here.”