When you are the head football coach at Alabama, everything you say or do is under a microscope. Fair or unfair, it's just the reality of the job.
That's especially true for Kalen DeBoer, who has had an up-and-down two seasons as the Crimson Tide's head coach. Despite getting Alabama to the SEC Championship Game last season and the College Football Playoff, there remains an army of doubters across college football, a large number of whom are in his own fanbase, about whether or not he's the right guy to take this program forward.
DeBoer has never shied away from the expectations that come with this job, all of which were enhanced because of the guy who occupied his office before him. That's what made it surprising to DeBoer, and, frankly, me, when he received so much blowback at SEC Media Days for not explicitly stating his goal was to win a national championship at Alabama.
That's obviously his goal. That's the entire reason he took this job to begin with.
In an interview with ABC 33/40 that was shared on social media on Monday, DeBoer had a chance to clarify his comments, and he spoke directly about his goals:
“The action and the work support the goals that we have to win championships here," DeBoer said. "We really walked out of the team room, and it’s really not about just getting to the conference championship; it’s about winning it. It’s not just about making the playoff; it’s winning the whole thing. We don’t talk about that much because in the end it’s about the steps and habits, the day-to-day process you’re focused on.”
Kalen DeBoer is focused on the 'process' to get Alabama to its ultimate goal of a national championship
It's odd for Alabama fans to get frustrated by the focus being on the process rather than the results. That's straight out of the Nick Saban playbook, and it's that exact mentality that launched the greatest dynasty in the history of college football.
When you focus on results, you lose sight of what it takes to get there. When you focus on the process instead, the results tend to follow.
DeBoer came to Alabama to win a national championship. That's never been in question. He embraced those expectations the moment he stepped on the plane in Seattle to fly to Tuscaloosa. He knew the large shoes left for him to fill.
Perhaps he didn't fully understand the passion of the Alabama fanbase. That's not something anyone can completely grasp from the outside. It's certainly clear to him now.
Entering year three, there's still a lot of doubt about DeBoer and the fit at the Capstone. Even the most ardent supporters would be lying if they said with 100% certainty they knew how this tenure would play out. But that's the same for those on the other end of it, too.
What cannot be questioned is the reason DeBoer came to Tuscaloosa to start with. He came here to win. He came here to do what he's done his whole career.
“We’ve been fully embracing what the expectations are here at Alabama," DeBoer said. "That’s what we all signed on for; that’s why we came here. I guess that surprised me to have it come across that way. What I’m focused on is the process; you’re focused on the day-to-day things.”
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