Alabama Captain Deontae Lawson Believes Coach Kalen DeBoer Is the Ideal Leader for Today’s Changing College Football Landscape
Alabama linebacker and team captain Deontae Lawson has only had a few months to work under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, but it hasn’t taken long for him to form a strong opinion about the man now leading the Crimson Tide into a new chapter of college football. When asked about the transition from the legendary Nick Saban to the relatively new face in Tuscaloosa, Lawson’s response was direct and confident: “Coach DeBoer is a great fit for the new era of college football, basically. He’s just a players coach.”
In a post-Saban world where the game continues to evolve, that statement carries considerable weight.
DeBoer stepped into arguably the most scrutinized role in college football when he accepted the Alabama job in January 2024. Following in the footsteps of a seven-time national champion isn’t something many coaches would welcome, but DeBoer didn’t hesitate. He brought with him a reputation for being adaptable, innovative, and — most importantly to Lawson’s point — someone who prioritizes relationships and player development just as much as he does scheme and results.
In today’s college football, where the transfer portal, NIL deals, and media branding dominate as much as blocking schemes and blitz pickups, being a “players coach” is more than just a throwaway compliment. It’s a prerequisite. For players like Lawson, who had the unique experience of being molded by Nick Saban’s intense discipline and now finds himself under DeBoer’s more open, collaborative leadership style, the transition has been refreshing rather than jarring.
“Coach DeBoer came in and didn’t try to be Coach Saban — he was just himself,” Lawson noted in an early summer media appearance. “That made it easier to trust him. He talks to us, listens, and still holds us accountable. That’s what you want.”
DeBoer’s track record shows he can win — and win quickly — while building strong rapport with his athletes. From Sioux Falls to Fresno State to Washington, he’s consistently elevated programs without losing the locker room. His 14–1 season with Washington in 2023, culminating in a national championship appearance, demonstrated not just his offensive genius, but his ability to lead and galvanize a team with NFL-caliber talent.
Lawson, a senior leader for the Crimson Tide and a vital piece of Alabama’s championship aspirations this fall, has become one of DeBoer’s most vocal supporters. His praise isn’t just platitude — it reflects a larger shift in Alabama’s program culture. No longer anchored by Saban’s militaristic tone, the Tide are now led by a man who encourages individual expression, embraces change, and understands the complexities of modern college football.
For Lawson, this leadership style hasn’t meant less discipline — it’s just a different brand of it.
“There’s still structure,” Lawson explained. “But Coach DeBoer gives us a voice. He’ll have conversations with us about how things are going. We have leadership council meetings where he actually listens. That kind of respect makes you want to work even harder for him.”
That emotional connection is a theme that has defined DeBoer’s early months in Tuscaloosa. While some skeptics feared a post-Saban identity crisis for Alabama, DeBoer has doubled down on building relationships, winning trust, and maintaining competitive intensity. Players have repeatedly praised his hands-on approach in spring practice, as well as the fact that he spent the early weeks on the job meeting one-on-one with every returning player.
For someone like Lawson — who represents the team’s leadership core — those early gestures weren’t just nice; they were critical.
“That meant a lot, man,” Lawson said. “He wanted to know who we are, what drives us, what we want out of this year. It wasn’t just about football. He talks about life, our goals, stuff beyond the field. You don’t forget that.”
The players-first mentality comes at a crucial time for college football. The game is being reshaped by realignment, athlete empowerment, and evolving expectations around leadership. Coaches who fail to adapt are quickly left behind. DeBoer, by contrast, seems to thrive amid that flux. His offense is creative and flexible, but his real advantage may be his emotional intelligence.
Alabama’s veteran-heavy roster could have splintered following Saban’s exit. Instead, the team rallied around its new leader — due in no small part to the endorsement of captains like Lawson, Jalen Milroe, and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Lawson’s voice in particular holds significant weight among younger players, and his comfort with DeBoer has helped smooth the transition for the entire defense.
“He doesn’t micromanage,” Lawson said. “He trusts us to be pros in how we handle business. But he’s always there. Always watching, encouraging, correcting when he needs to. He’s like a calm storm. You feel his presence.”
That presence is starting to reshape Alabama’s identity. While the DNA of Saban’s era — physicality, precision, professionalism — remains, DeBoer has layered in an atmosphere that is more open and communicative. And that seems to be clicking with players, particularly those who want to thrive not just in Alabama’s system, but in the broader world of NIL and NFL aspirations.
One specific change Lawson highlighted was DeBoer’s attention to player well-being — not just physical health, but mental and emotional wellness.
“There’s more talk about how we’re doing mentally. He brings in speakers. He checks in. That kind of support matters,” Lawson shared. “College football is a grind, especially here. Knowing your coach cares beyond the game helps you push through those hard days.”
Lawson has been vocal about wanting to leave his own mark on the Alabama program — both as a leader and as a playmaker. The opportunity to do that under a coach who respects his input has only deepened his commitment.
“He’s given us ownership of the team,” Lawson said. “We know the standard. Coach Saban built it. But now it’s on us to carry it forward in our own way. Coach DeBoer is letting us do that.”
For DeBoer, that trust seems to be a deliberate strategy. By empowering leaders like Lawson, he is fostering a sense of collective accountability rather than top-down control. In a locker room full of NFL hopefuls, that nuance is invaluable.
As Alabama gears up for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on whether DeBoer can replicate Saban-like success — or at least build something durable and uniquely his own. The early signs, from Lawson’s vantage point, are promising.
“This team is hungry,” Lawson said. “We hear all the noise about change and expectations. But we’re locked in. We believe in Coach. He’s got our backs, and we’ve got his.”
That belief, at its core, may be the most important factor in Alabama’s future.
Yes, winning will always be the ultimate test. But in a game that increasingly values personality, connectivity, and flexibility, DeBoer’s approach might be precisely what the Crimson Tide need.
Deontae Lawson’s voice reflects more than just one player’s opinion — it represents a cultural shift at one of college football’s most storied programs. A shift that acknowledges the past, but embraces the future.
“Coach DeBoer,” Lawson concluded, “is the right guy for this time. He gets it. And we’re all in.”
