The college football world is still in Nick Saban's shadow

Alabama Crimson Tide fans will officially move on from Nick Saban on Saturday night when college football's greatest-ever coach will not be on a Bryant-Denny sideline. We've had months to adjust and prepare. Yet, reminiscing lingers, though having nothing to do with doubts about Kalen DeBoer. Alabama fans are happy that DeBoer is in Tuscaloosa. He's next up in a long line of distinguished Alabama Crimson Tide coaches. He is expected to do well; he's just not Nick Saban. No one is or ever will be.

Entitlement is in the DNA of Alabama Crimson Tide fans. Nick Saban did not put it there. but he cemented it. No college football program is entitled to, not only having two; but 'The Two' GOATS of college football coaching. No college football fanbase should define the measure of every single season as a National Championship. Alabama does and it has been that way for so many decades, it will never change.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has gone three seasons without a National Championship. That has not happened since the drought between 1992 and 2009. The hunt and the expectation for success continue in the 2024 season, and remarkably, Kalen DeBoer may be the only person in college football who is not in Nick Saban's shadow.

While the rest of college football still revolves around Nick Saban's every observation, DeBoer almost quietly goes about business. Some Alabama fans will overreact when DeBoer loses his first Crimson Tide game, but as the season begins DeBoer feels like the perfect choice to succeed Nick Saban.

In the last few seasons, the college football world has changed more than it did in many preceding decades. Nick Saban was college football's King for 15 years. He vanquished all takers, leaving Urban Meyer in the dust, eclipsing Dabo Swinney, and keeping upstart Kirby Smart in his place. Kirby's success with two National Championships surpasses all of Saban's former assistants; but in six tries, Smart and Georgia beat Nick Saban just once.

Alabama Crimson Tide, Nick Saban and Expectations

It is logical to believe that Alabama Crimson Tide fans will be forced to adjust expectations. Odds are almost non-existent that any program, even mighty Alabama, will ever again win six national championships in 17 seasons. If we are honest, we must admit we don't know what to expect; not exactly, but we are sure next will include greatness.

In a recent excellent piece by Jordan Ritter Conn, another writer, Joe Gaither is quoted "Fans rob themselves of joy by not understanding how hard it is to win." That truth explained by Conn is, "Winning is wonderful, but expecting to win every game is exhausting. For years, week after week, Alabama fans felt mostly one of only two emotions: disappointment or relief. Losses were catastrophic, whereas wins mostly served as data points in answering the perennial question: Are we gonna win another natty?"

That is the shadow for Crimson Tide fans; enhanced and entrenched, but not created by Nick Saban. And in the seasons when it comes to pass, it is glorious.