Tag: Nick Saban

What is the biggest question mark facing Alabama heading into the 2024 season?

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg breaks down the biggest question mark the Crimson Tide face entering the 2024 season

On Jan. 10, 2024, the world stopped for a moment as legendary Alabama Crimso Tide head football coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] made the shocking decision to step away from football and retire from coaching. It was one of those earth-shattering moments that almost everyone, including non-Alabama fans, will be able to tell you exactly where they were when the news broke. The ensuing days were chaos filled with coaching rumors, transfer alerts and a profound level of sadness.

Fast forward four months, and yeah the loss of Saban still stings, but there is a very strong sense of optimism surrounding new head coach [autotag]Kalen DeBoer[/autotag] and what this new era of Alabama football might look like. DeBoer is picking up steam on the recruiting trail and the team had a phenomenal showing at the annual spring game A-Day, but that doesn’t mean everything has been sunshine and rainbows in Tuscaloosa.

DeBoer is a national champion-level coach and widely regarded as one of the top two or three coaches in the country, but replacing the value of Nick Saban is nearly impossible. Adam Rittenberg of ESPN breaks down (Subscription required) the biggest question currently facing the Crimson Tide: How has Alabama adjusted to life post-Saban?

“There have been some obstacles. DeBoer’s initial plan was to have Ryan Grubb, DeBoer’s offensive coordinator at both Washington and Fresno State, oversee quarterback [autotag]Jalen Milroe[/autotag] and the Tide offense. But Grubb stayed in Seattle to work for the Seahawks, alongside talented offensive line coach Scott Huff. DeBoer went with familiarity in promoting Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard — Sheridan as the playcaller — and hired veteran line coach Chris Kapilovic to fill Huff’s role. Despite the moving parts on the staff and a new scheme for players, Alabama didn’t let up during spring ball.

“We pushed hard, even the installs and all that,” DeBoer said. “We’ve really kept the pedal down on trying to get things to our guys. A credit to them, too, because they’ve embraced it all. They want to be great. That’s why they’re here. The players have dived into it and put in the extra time on their own to make every practice real efficient.”

On-the-field success in 2024 will be the true indicator of how life is truly going in Tuscaloosa, but I think anything short of a playoff appearance will be a disappointment in DeBoer’s mind. DeBoer and his new staff will make their debut inside Bryant-Denny Stadium on Aug. 31, 2024 against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Nick Saban shares extremely high praise for LSU QB Jayden Daniels

LSU QB Jayden Daniels was the toughest player to defend in CFB over the last two years according to Nick Saban

Seeing legendary former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] on ESPN covering the NFL draft as opposed to being in Tuscaloosa preparing for the upcoming season still just doesn’t feel right, but that is a new reality. The program is in great hands with new head coach Kalen DeBoer moving forward and the Tide will be competing for a playoff spot again in 2024, but after 17 years it’s going to take some time to get used to.

I will say though, the special thing about Saban covering this draft is that it includes several of his former players as well as players he had to coach against, so he has a really strong sense for the class.

Two of the players that Saban is high on are LSU’s QB Jayden Daniels and WR Malik Nabers. As part of the pre-draft coverage on ESPN, Saban said of Daniels, “This guy is a phenomenal player. The most difficult player we had to defend in the last two years at Alabama, and let me say this, Malik Nabers is special because he is a complete receiver.”

Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, is currently projected to be selected No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders while Malik Nabers will definitely be a top ten pick, but the question is where to?

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

NFL Network draft expert releases final mock 2024 draft

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah projects four Alabama players to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft

The 2024 NFL draft is set to begin this evening, and it is certainly one of the more anticipated draft nights in recent memory. The draft will be headlined by quarterbacks with six guys projected to go in the first round, however, there will be a lot of other solid year-one players such as guys like Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers that will find new homes tonight.

Under the guidance of legendary head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag], the Alabama Crimson Tide have dominated the NFL draft, especially the first round. With Saban retiring earlier this off-season, it will be his final batch of NFL-produced players. It was a good group to end on as they sent the GOAT off with an SEC Championship and Rose Bowl appearance.

Secrets are kept so deeply under wraps that it is hard to know what teams are truly thinking. Still, Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network confidently projects four Crimson Tide players to hear their names taken tonight in the first round with J.C. Latham, Dallas Turner, Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Jeremiah expects Latham to be the first OT taken off the board as high as No. 5 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football players as the 2024 NFL draft gets started.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

How to watch, listen, and stream the first round of the 2024 NFL draft

How to tune in to the 2024 NFL draft to see where the former Alabama football stars are selected!

The 2024 NFL draft will officially get underway from Detroit on Thursday night with the Chicago Bears making the first selection and former Oklahoma Sooner and USC Trojan Caleb Williams is considered a lock to land in the Windy City.

With four former Alabama football stars projected to be selected in the opening round, Crimson Tide fans have plenty to look forward to on Thursday night.

Alabama fans can also catch legendary head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] on the set of the ABC broadcast.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the first night of the draft:

  • Date: Thursday, Apr. 25
  • Time: 7 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ESPN, NFL Network, ABC
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)

Check out more NFL draft coverage with the USA TODAY Sports draft hub.

Also, get more draft information on Draft Wire and Touchdown Wire.

Roll Tide Wire will provide non-stop coverage of the former Alabama football stars selected in the 2024 NFL draft.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Analyst warns Pittsburgh Steelers to avoid drafting Kool-Aid McKinstry

Bleacher Report journalist advises the Pittsburgh Steelers against drafting former All-American and Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

When it comes to the NFL draft, everyone has their opinions on players, but the reality is that nobody knows who will effectively transition to playing on Sundays. The 2024 NFL draft class will be the final group of [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag]-produced players as the legendary Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach decided to retire from coaching and join the College GameDay crew at ESPN.

One of the most intriguing Alabama players in the upcoming draft is cornerback [autotag]Kool-Aid McKinstry[/autotag] who was a three-year key contributor for the defense. Teams avoided throwing in the direction of McKinstry for the most part in 2023 so his numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he is one of the best coverage corners in the college game.

Despite all of that, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report advises the Pittsburgh Steelers against using their first-round pick on McKinstry. Pairing McKinstry with Minkah Fitzpatrick would be a dream come true for Alabama and Steelers fans, but Ballentine would disagree. Ballentine’s argument to avoid McKinstry doesn’t really have anything to do with him, but rather addressing their offensive woes.

Ballentine said of the pick,

“The Pittsburgh Steelers may be tempted to pair the Alabama product with Joey Porter Jr. if he’s still on the board at No. 20. However, the Steelers were 10th in passer rating allowed last season with a combination of Porter, Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace manning the cornerback spots. Meanwhile, the offense was 28th in scoring and 23rd in EPA per play, in part because their offensive line wasn’t up to snuff.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players as they prepare to make the transition to the NFL during the 2024 offseason.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Terrion Arnold and Kalen DeBoer share a heartfelt moment

Terrion Arnold tells Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer something that Crimson Tide fans will be happy to hear.

With the Alabama Crimson Tide’s annual A-Day spring game taking place just a few weekends ago, it was the first chance we’ve had to see new head coach [autotag]Kalen DeBoer[/autotag] on the sideline. The reality that the legend [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] is no longer with the program still doesn’t sit right, however, it seems like there is more of an overwhelming feeling of excitement for what DeBoer brings to the table.

As part of the A-Day festivities, former Alabama cornerback [autotag]Terrion Arnold[/autotag] was in town to speak to the team and enjoy the atmosphere ahead of this week’s NFL draft. Arnold is widely projected to be taken in the first round on Thursday night as he led the Crimson Tide with 12 pass breakups and five interceptions in 2023, but he will also go down as one of the most beloved players of the Saban era.

In a wholesome mic ‘d-up moment between DeBoer and Arnold, you can hear Arnold telling the new Crimson Tide coach, “Bro, I would’ve wanted to play for you. Bro, I like you.”

There is no question that DeBoer is an entirely different personality and coach than Saban, but that is just fine. DeBoer is very much a player-friendly coach who is adapting very well to the NIL and transfer portal era and is probably the perfect guy to guide Alabama through those ventures while Nick Saban tries out some new endeavors and enjoys a well-earned retirement.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Kalen DeBoer is just behind Kirby Smart in latest SEC head coach rankings

Kalen DeBoer sits behind only Kirby Smart in the latest SEC head coach rankings, but that may not last long.

The Alabama Crimson Tide begin the 2024 college football season against Western Kentucky, and it will be the first time in over 17 seasons that the Tide will take the field without the legendary [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] on the sideline. Saban’s retirement still doesn’t feel real, but seeing new head coach Kalen DeBoer on the sideline could be a breath of fresh air too.

Losing Saban was always going to be incredibly difficult, but athletic director Greg Byrne reacted quickly and landed a phenomenal head coach in DeBoer.

In two seasons with the Washington Huskies, DeBoer was 25-3 with a PAC-12 title and national championship appearance. Between NAIA and D1 football, DeBoer has posted an outstanding career record of 104-12. It was just a matter of time before other programs started calling on DeBoer, so while Saban’s retirement wasn’t a great thing, the timing definitely could have been worse. DeBoer has also shown he can beat the best coaches in the country as he is a combined 5-0 against Dan Lanning and Steve Sarkisian.

Heading into the 2024 season, ESPN ranks DeBoer as the second-best coach in America behind only Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Even in Saban’s later years at the helm of the Alabama program, Smart had begun to catch up. Now, Smart is the undisputed top head coach in the conference, but it may not take long for DeBoer to overtake him. Though, there’s also the risk that some slip-ups lead to DeBoer falling in the rankings.

With a new-look coaching staff and a roster that lost plenty of last season’s playmakers, there’s much unknown about the 2024 Alabama team. While some may see this as a negative, there’s a good chance this can be utilized to the Tide’s advantage. A certain level of unpredictability can boost the team against the strong opponents on the upcoming schedule.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see DeBoer and Smart go head-to-head, as Georgia visits Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama in a regular-season matchup on  Sep. 28, 2024.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow DeBoer and the Alabama football program as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Former Alabama RB Jase McClellan recieving interest from several NFL teams

Several NFL teams have met and expressed interest in former Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan.

When it comes to producing NFL talent at the running back position, no school has had anywhere close to the level of success as the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide has been represented on Sundays by guys like Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris and many more under the guidance of legendary head coach [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag]. While Saban did, unfortunately, retire in January, [autotag]Jase McClellan[/autotag] has a chance to be the final Saban-produced back drafted into the NFL.

McClellan was the Tide’s leading rusher in the 2023 season with 180 carried for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. However, with the Alabama passing attack rather inconsistent at times, McClellan was a strong presence in the backfield that Milroe and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees could rely on when things got tricky. McClellan may not have put up jaw-dropping numbers, but he has a ton of upside and is receiving a ton of interest ahead of this week’s NFL draft.

I don’t expect McClellan to be a first-round pick, but he is one of the best running backs in a very lackluster running back draft. The Texas native has reportedly met with a number of teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints among others. It will be interesting to see where McClellan goes likely on Friday night.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Sarkisian on leaving Texas for Alabama: ‘I’m not doing that’

“It took me all of about 60 seconds to say, ‘Yeah, I’m not doing that.’”

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t going anywhere. He shared why Alabama’s head coach vacancy didn’t move the needle for him in an interview with ESPN.

Sarkisian explained his brief contemplation of leaving for Tuscaloosa.

“Naturally, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it. But it took me all of about 60 seconds to say, ‘Yeah, I’m not doing that.’ I had an awesome two years at Alabama and loved my time under Coach Saban, but ultimately you want to reap what you sow.

We’ve poured a ton into this program for three years, and we’re on the cusp, I think, of going on a run that will be epic. I believe that. Our staff does, and our players do, too, just the support we have and the culture we’ve created here. Why leave something like that?”

As could be the case with anyone, you listen to your mentor. Clearly, Sarkisian has great respect for former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. That Saban might consider him as his replacement likely meant a lot to Sarkisian. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for Sarkisian to think it over. He rhetorically asks himself why he would leave.

Some are attempting to frame it as a close call. Sarkisian’s 60 seconds of contemplation make it clear he wasn’t anywhere near packing his bags for Tuscaloosa. He was unmoved.

Aside from the inherent disadvantages Alabama could have in matching Texas monetarily and in recruiting proximity to elite talent, Sarkisian would have had to start over in building his culture and instilling his schemes with the Crimson Tide. He concluded, “Yeah, I’m not doing that.”

Sarkisian believes his program is “on the cusp” of breaking through to the top of college football. Texas will look to get there in 2024.

Is Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer a top-5 head coach in college football?

Kalen DeBoer is tasked with taking over the Alabama football program with high expectations left behind by Nick Saban. Is he a top-5 coach in college football?

For the first time in nearly two decades, there will be a new coach roaming the sidelines of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Nick Saban, the legendary head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, announced his retirement at the beginning of the 2024 offseason. Moving swiftly, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne hired Kalen DeBoer, luring him away from the Washington Huskies fresh off of a national championship appearance.

The position DeBoer finds himself in is not one that many envy. Having to be the immediate successor of Saban means there are high expectations and nearly impossible shoes to fill. However, DeBoer is up for the task.

Heading into the 2024 season, which features a new-look SEC including the additions of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners and an expanded College Football Playoff field.

ESPN recently ranked the top 10 head coaches in all of college football for the upcoming season and DeBoer is up near the top, ranking No. 2 just behind Kirby Smart, the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.

“After starting his career as an assistant at tiny Sioux Falls, his alma mater, DeBoer guided the NAIA Cougars to a 67-3 record with three national titles over a five-year stretch,” writes Kyle Bonagura. “From there, DeBoer embarked on a climb up the assistant-coaching ranks, during which each school he arrived at experienced near-unprecedented success, before being named the head coach at Fresno State. His modest two-year run there (12-6) led to the gig at Washington, where he transformed a team that won four games in 2021 to one that went 25-3 over the next two seasons, earning an appearance in the national title game this past season.”

Alabama made the College Football Playoffs in 2023, which just makes DeBoer’s situation that much harder. Saban, even in his final season, was capable of having the team in contention to win a national championship. It would be a different story if the Crimson Tide regressed in recent seasons. However, DeBoer instead inherits a program that is still a powerhouse, with the ability to win it all.

DeBoer will have his first opportunity to prove himself in Tuscaloosa when Alabama kicks off the 2024 season at home against Western Kentucky on Aug. 31, 2024.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM.