Alabama

Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Debut Displays His ‘Superpower’

Published

1 year ago

September 1, 2024

Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Debut Displays His ‘Superpower’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Gone are the days of tucked in polos with khakis and sideline butt-chewings of defensive backs. Alabama football has a new head coach with new habits and traditions, but on Saturday night inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, the results looked the same.

No. 5 Alabama rolled over Western Kentucky 63-0 in Kalen DeBoer’s debut as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

DeBoer sported a black hoodie and joggers with a crimson script A ball cap. One of his mottos is “praise in public, critique in private.” So DeBoer was seen giving out a multitude of high fives and pats on the back during Alabama’s blowout wins, and would gently pull a player off to the side alone if he needed to provide some constructive criticism.

Throughout his first eight months in Tuscaloosa, there’s one word that constantly comes up when describing DeBoer: steady. He never gets too high or too low. His demeanor stays the same. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack called it DeBoer’s “superpower.”

“The way he is able to keep the main thing, the main thing, amidst all the noise, is something that I think has served him well as a head coach, it served him well as a coordinator,” Wommack said. “I think our players lean into that humble confidence that he shows in those moments. You don’t take the Alabama job after Coach Saban if you don’t have a certain level of confidence about you. But there’s a level of humility that he carries himself, that I think Greg Byrne made the perfect hire, in terms of what Kalen brings to the table for this team, and carrying on the legacy that certainly Coach Saban has set, and then other greats before him as well.”

DeBoer chose to be the guy that follows the guy– the coach that steps into the massive shoes left behind by legendary head coach Nick Saban. And with Saban watching from a suite inside the stadium, DeBoer and the Crimson Tide put on a show for a dominant, tone-setting win.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe awarded his head coach the game ball after his first career win at Alabama.

“What made it so awesome is all the work that was done in the dark is coming out to shine today,” Milroe said after the game. “I’m super excited for our offense, super excited for our football team because we’ve just had so much growth that I’ve seen that’s been in the dark…. To take the field with Coach DeBoer today, we also gave him the game ball today. So I was super excited after the game to announce that for him and just to enjoy these moments together.”

His steadiness was needed with the highs and lows of the Crimson Tide’s season opening 63-0 win. With a final score like that, there was more good than bad in the win, but DeBoer experienced some early setbacks before things even got going.

Kadyn Proctor, DeBoer’s biggest offseason portal win and the presumed starter at left tackle, was injured in pregame warmups and didn’t get to play a single snap. Then, when Alabama was setting up for its first series of the game on defense, there were issues with Western Kentucky’s headsets, which forced Alabama to abandon its own headsets and send offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan down to the field. DeBoer said it was the first time he’s experienced this in his career.

Then on, Alabama’s first offensive series with the Tide already down one starter on the offensive line, center Parker Brailsford and left guard Tyler Booker both lost their helmets on the same play, meaning they had to exit for play. So Jalen Milroe had to take a snap with essentially three backup offensive lineman.

“So all of the sudden we had a different center, left guard and left tackle from what we practiced all along,” DeBoer said. “Kids did a great job of just adjusting to the adversity. Not getting too shaken and just continuing to play and the next guys were ready to go.”

Whether it was his calm reaction to Alabama’s first touchdown, his sideline attire of a hoodie and ball cap or no-frills stroll out of the tunnel during pregame warmups, DeBoer displays an unruffled demeanor. But don’t mistake being unbothered for being uncaring.

“His attention to detail, his intensity, his focus is steady all the time,” Sheridan said earlier in the week about DeBoer. “It’s a tremendous quality in a leader and a person.”

Even a rainy Walk of Champions couldn’t dampen DeBoer’s first game as head coach. Redshirt junior linebacker and captain Deontae Lawson said it was the same old DeBoer in the pregame speech that he’s come to know. He talked about playing to the Alabama standard.

“He got us hype,” Lawson said. “He talked about executing. Just doing your job and playing for the guys in the locker room. We were already ready at that point. He just added to the fire”

Lawson said the players were “lit” for DeBoer in the postgame. Even though he was very humble and prone to deflect attention in the postgame press conference, he did crack a smile in the locker room according to Lawson.

Running back Justice Haynes said DeBoer got pumped up, but not too pumped up after the win.

“Coach DeBoer’s great,” Haynes said. “He just said, ‘Doesn’t it feel great to win?’ Which, it does. It’s hard to win, any game… He is so steady. He’s very temperament— doesn’t get too high with the highs, too low with the lows. Very cool, calm and collected. I love Coach DeBoer.”

DeBoer doesn’t same 24-hour rule that Saban did, where he allowed the team 24 hours to celebrate a win before focusing on the next opponent. In fact, Alabama will be practicing on Sunday. He took his time to briefly celebrate his milestone win Saturday night before focusing on what Alabama has to do for the rest of the season.

“I told the guys in the locker room, none of these points carry over to next week and there’s film out there. And of course there’s strengths we have, but people are going to look at those areas that they can attack,” DeBoer said. “We’ve got to continue to understand that there’s a lot of potential with this football team, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do. It’s going to be that way all season long.”

See also:

Alabama’s Offense Explosive in Kalen DeBoer Debut

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Alabama

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

Published

8 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – After more than a decade serving Alabama’s fourth judicial circuit, Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. is stepping away from full-time service, closing a chapter that spans nearly four decades in the legal profession.

Pettaway was elected to the bench in 2012 and served in several counties including Dallas, Wilcox, Perry, Hale and Bibb counties, the largest geographical circuit in the state.

Now, he says, it was simply time.

“I never wanted to serve in that capacity forever,” Pettaway said “And plus, I wanted to also make room for some younger, brighter minds to come forward.”

Before becoming a judge, Pettaway practiced law in Selma for nearly 30 years after being licensed in 1985. During that time, he handled cases that helped shape Alabama law; something he says he didn’t fully appreciate until colleagues reflected on his impact.

“I handled several cases which actually affected and changed the direction of the state of the law in our state,” he added. “And I didn’t realize I did all that.”

Friends and fellow legal professionals once presented him with research showing his involvement in Alabama Supreme Court cases that made significant changes in state law; a moment he describes as both surprising and humbling.

During his time on the bench, Pettaway says one of his priorities was maintaining professionalism and respect within the legal system.

He often referenced the Alabama State Bar’s Lawyer’s Creed — a pledge attorneys take promising to treat even their opponents with civility and understanding.

“In that creed, you are promising that you’re gonna treat even your opponents with civility and with kindness and understanding.”

Pettaway says he believes the legal profession — and society at large — must continue working toward a culture rooted in respect and service.

Although stepping away from full-time duties, Pettaway says he is not completely leaving the legal field. He has transitioned to retired active status and plans to assist with cases when needed, while also returning to private practice.

He says this new chapter is about balance.

After decades shaping courtrooms across five counties, Pettaway says he is focused on health, perspective and trusting the next generation to carry the bench forward.

Governor Kay Ivey has appointed former Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones to serve the remainder of Pettaway’s six-year term.

Jones previously served as senior chief trial attorney under District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. and has also led the Fourth Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.

The transition marks a new era for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, while closing a significant chapter in its recent history.

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Alabama

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

Published

20 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine nears its conclusion, the Detroit Lions continue to work to identify potential fits for the franchise.

The Lions own pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Though Taylor Decker recently announced his return for the 2026 season, Detroit could still be thinking offensive line in the draft’s opening round.

If the Lions opt to fortify their offensive line, one name to watch for Detroit is Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A Lions scout pulled Proctor aside to talk at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.

Now, Proctor confirmed to Crunch Time Sports that he met with the Lions at the NFL combine.

Proctor started 40 games across his Crimson Tide career, missing just the first two games of the 2024 season with injury.

The 6-foot-7, 366-pound lineman was Alabama’s highest-graded player last season with an overall offensive grade of 85.9, per Pro Football Focus. Proctor had a pass-blocking grade of 84.2, a run blocking grade of 81.1 and allowed just two sacks during the 2025 college football season.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

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Alabama

Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Alabama lawmakers react to U.S. early morning military strike on Iran

Alabama lawmakers are weighing in with their opinion after Donald Trump announced that the United States conducted a military strike on Iran overnight.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey responded to a video from the White House X account announcing that we’ve taken military action.

“Strong leadership requires hard decisions,” Ivey posted to X. “This is exactly how we will achieve peace through strength. As @POTUS said, our Armed Forces WILL prevail. May God continue to bless the brave men and women in our military! And may God bless President Trump and our great country.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt said in his own statement that he stands with Trump’s decision. The statement released earlier today, Saturday, Feb. 8, encouraged Trump for taking military action.

“For five decades, Iran has openly called for ‘death to America,’” Aderholt wrote. “I remember clearly when they orchestrated the deaths of 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983. In the years since, the regime has continued pursuing nuclear capabilities that threaten the United States and our allies. I stand with President Trump has he leads these strikes. May God bless the members of our armed forces carrying out these operations”

In addition to being the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Aderholt is also a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall echoed similar sentiment to Aderholt. He cites the same quote.

“For 47 years the vicious Iranian regime has chanted ‘death to America,’” Marshall wrote. “It’s time for swift and decisive action. May God bless the men and women of the Armed Forces. May God bless America.”

Senator Katie Boyd Britt says she echoes Trump’s message from earlier this morning.

“Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism,” Britt said on X. “For 47 years, this murderous regime has operated a terror network that has brought death and destruction to the world and slaughtered innocent Americans. Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile capabilities, and funding of proxy terror groups pose a sustained and clear threat to our nation, to our military bases and citizens in the region, and to our allies. This is a defining moment of generational leadership from President Trump to achieve sustainable peace. We are praying for the safety of our men and women in uniform and I echo @POTUS’s message this morning: God bless and protect all of our heroes in harm’s way executing this mission.”

Coach and Senator Tommy Tubberville tweeted, “President Trump has shown time and time again, you NEVER threaten America. God bless our great troops, god bless President Trump, and God bless America.”

U.S. Representative for 1st Congressional District of Alabama Barry Moore responded in a Facebook post.

“May God bless our men and women in uniform,” Moore posted. “Please join me in praying for strength, wisdom, and safety for President Donald J. Trump and all of those keeping our nation safe.”

United States Congresswoman Terri Sewell representing Alabama’s 7th District offered one of the few dissenting opinions from local lawmakers and politicians. Although she acknowledges Iran’s history, Sewell expresses her concern for the lives of U.S. citizens now that peace talks have been abandoned.

“Iran has oppressed their people and supported terrorism in the region for decades,” Sewell said in an official statement. “This fact does not change the President’s obligation under the Constitution to work with Congress on military actions that put our troops in harm’s way and could drag our country into another prolonged war in the Middle East.”

Sewell goes on to say that she’ll work with Congress to arrange a vote on a war powers resolution.

“I am also calling on the Administration to immediately provide a briefing on this ongoing military action, including their justification for abandoning diplomatic talks, as as their strategy for avoiding an extended regional conflict that is not supported by the American people,” Sewell continued. “I am praying for all the service members in the region and their families.”

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