Alabama head coach, Kalen DeBoer, is not from the South. The South Dakota native played his college games in his home state before beginning his coaching career at his Alma mater. During his rise through the coaching ranks, Kalen DeBoer coached at multiple schools, including the University of Washington, his last stop before coming to Alabama.
On Saturday, Kalen DeBoer’s allegiances were tested when his daughter, a member of the Huskies' softball team, matched up with the Crimson Tide in the Candrea Classic.
Alexis DeBoer, a freshman starter for Washington, blasted a three-run home run against Alabama in the Crimson Tide's 7-3 victory over Washington. Alexis DeBoer followed that up with a two home run game against Western Michigan as the Huskies rebounded with a 4-1 victory over the Broncos. Alexis DeBoer is the first Washington freshman to hit three home runs in her opening weekend since 2022.
Kalen DeBoer started his first coaching season at his new school in a similar way to his daughter as his Crimson Tide began the season 4-0 with a massive home victory over Georgia. Alabama followed that up by finishing just 5-4 the rest of the season.
Coming into the 2025 season, the expectations are the same as they always are for the Alabama football program: national championship or bust. The Crimson Tide returns a healthy amount of starters, with just three underclassmen departing for the NFL after last season.
The major question is what happens at quarterback with Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell all fighting for the starting spot.
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