No one will ever be able to replace Nick Saban at Alabama, but the Crimson Tide has a head coach who was willing to step into the shoes of a legend.

Saban carried his style for 17 years (2007-23) and it yielded winning results. He was a strict disciplinarian, but he loved his players, assistant coaches and wanted the best for the University of Alabama. Saban’s style propelled the Tide to six national championships, nine Southeastern Conference titles, eight College Football Playoff appearances, four Heisman Memorial Trophy winners, multiple All-Americans and All-SEC players and much more. Kalen DeBoer brings a different style and personality to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

He played music during spring training, he sets up morning workouts for fall camp, he’s tuned in on social media and he’s brought a different energy to the program. DeBoer, a South Dakota native, is different for Alabama football, but there’s one important quality he and Saban share.

He explained it on Wednesday during SEC Media Days at the Omni Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

“I know Coach Saban was totally invested in those guys,” DeBoer said. “He loved them, he believed in them, he pushed them to be the best they could be. Every coach is different. We all have different personalities, we have our own styles — especially when you’ve been doing it for a while — but the biggest things are probably more similar than they are different.”

DeBoer said he has the same mentality as him: he gives his players space to be the best they can be, he holds them accountable, he expects a high level of discipline, he builds a brotherhood/family with the team and he is great on the football field.

DeBoer, like Saban, wants the best for the Crimson Tide.

The transition from Saban to DeBoer has been smooth and Alabama fans want their new coach to be successful.