Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer won his first taste of the Alabama vs. LSU series over the weekend. Behind Jalen Milroe’s sensational performance, the Crimson Tide thoroughly dominated the Tigers, 45-13, on a rain-soaked night in Baton Rouge.
LSU is celebrating 100 years of Tiger Stadium, and on Saturday, DeBoer joined a long list of Alabama head coaches to win their first trip to Tiger Stadium since the venue first opened in 1924.
In fact, only one coach in the modern era of Alabama football hasn’t won on their first visit to one of college football’s most electric environments. That was Mike Shula, who lost in his first trip to Tiger Stadium as a head coach in November 2004.
RELATED: How every Alabama football coach since Bear Bryant fared in first Tennessee game
From Nick Saban all the way back to Wallace Wade, who led the Crimson Tide to their first win in the stadium 99 years ago, here’s a look at how past Alabama coaches fared in their first road trips to Tiger Stadium. We also include their overall record in Baton Rouge and, when applicable, their team’s biggest margin of victory.
Nick Saban (Alabama coach, 2007-2023)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 8, 2008
Final Score: Alabama 27, LSU 21 (OT)
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 6-2
Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 55, LSU 17 (Dec. 15. 2020)
Mike Shula (Alabama coach, 2003-2006)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 13, 2004
Final Score: LSU 26, Alabama 10
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 0-2
Dennis Franchione (Alabama coach, 2001-02)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 16, 2002
Final Score: Alabama 31, LSU 0
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 1-0
Largest Margin of Victory: 31 points (2002)
Mike DuBose (Alabama coach, 1997-2000)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 7, 1998
Final Score: Alabama 22, LSU 16
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 1-1
Largest Margin of Victory: six points (1998)
Gene Stallings (Alabama coach, 1990-1996)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 9, 1991
Final Score: Alabama 20, LSU 17
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 4-0
Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 26, LSU 0 (Nov. 9, 1996)
Bill Curry (Alabama coach, 1987-1989)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 7, 1987
Final Score: Alabama 22, LSU 10
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium:2-0
Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 32, LSU 16 (Nov. 11, 1989)
Ray Perkins (Alabama coach, 1983-1986)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 5, 1983
Final Score: Alabama 32, LSU 26
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 1-0-1
Largest Margin of Victory: six points (1983)
Bear Bryant (Alabama coach, 1958-1982)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 6, 1965
Final Score: Alabama 31, LSU 7
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 8-1
Largest Margin of Victory: 24 points (1965)
J.B. “Ears” Whitworth (Alabama coach, 1955-57)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Sept. 28, 1957
Final Score: LSU 28, Alabama 0
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 0-1
Harold “Red” Drew (Alabama coach, 1947-1954)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Nov. 20, 1948
Final Score: LSU 26, Alabama 6
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 2-1
Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 12, LSU 0 (Sept. 25, 1954)
Frank Thomas (Alabama coach, 1931-1946)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Sept. 30, 1944
Final Score: Alabama 27, LSU 27
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 1-1-1
Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 26, LSU 7 (Oct. 6, 1945)
Wallace Wade (Alabama coach, 1923-1930)
First Trip to Tiger Stadium: Oct. 10, 1925
Final Score: Alabama 42, LSU 0
Overall Record vs. LSU at Tiger Stadium: 1-0
Largest Margin of Victory: 42 points (1925)
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