Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said his approach to player discipline is “different” than his predecessor, Nick Saban, but the standard of excellence is still the same, via a recent interview with Next Round Live. He said he defers to positive reinforcement and is finding ways to relate to the Crimson Tide’s players when criticism is needed.
“There’s a fire and a competitiveness that the guys see,” DeBoer said. “They see that already in the workouts. The standard that exists. It’s still the same standard; it’s just messaged a different way. I’m finding ways to positively reinforce. There’s discipline, that still happens. But how do you message that? How do you work with these guys to understand that I am fighting the same fight they are?”
DeBoer touched on a variety of other topics during his interview. He opened up on the whirlwind of leaving Washington for Alabama shortly after the College Football Playoff and his perception of the Crimson Tide program before taking the job. He also gave insight into how his inaugural coaching staff is looking early, among other things.
