Alabama football: Kalen DeBoer shows more energy before Tennessee win

During his tenure as Alabama football coach, Kalen DeBoer has, at times, taking criticism from Crimson Tide fans for seeming too calm. For a fan base that was used to Nick Saban regularly getting visibly angry, whether on sidelines, in press conferences or the occasional practice video, DeBoer’s demeanor was a shift.

On Saturday, as he led his team onto the field before 37-20 win over Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium, DeBoer showed off some fire. He shouted to his team, slapped the goalpost and clapped his hands as AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” soundtracked the Crimson Tide’s entrance.

After the game, DeBoer was asked about the increased energy he displayed.

“Our guys, they were fired up, so they got me fired up,” DeBoer said. “So I was excited to see them go out there and do their thing. But just again, before the game, halftime, just a lot of chatter. A lot of just positive, not too high level of emotions.

“It’s right where I think we understand the week of preparation gets you mentally in the right space to where you’re confident going out on the football field. When you’re confident, you got a little more energy. And that’s really what I see with our guys. And so that fires me up.”

Alabama showed plenty of fire throughout the game. The Crimson Tide reversed trend and got off to a hot start, stopping the Volunteers on their first drive before scoring an early touchdown.

Seconds before halftime, UT had a chance to make the score close, but Joey Aguilar threw a pick to Zabien Brown, who brought it the other way to give UA a 16-point lead at the break. The Volunteers drew closer early in the third quarter, but Alabama’s defense stood strong to preserve the victory.

“We played, I think, that whole game and channeled the energy into the right things, being disciplined and all of that,” DeBoer said. “I know there’s penalties at the end, the last couple of drives, but I’d rather make them have to earn it. If we get beat or something like that, I’d rather make them have to earn it than just give up some free yards. And so I’m just really pleased with the discipline and how we’re channeling that energy into the right areas.”

After the game, DeBoer’s players said the pregame energy was what they were used to seeing from the coach behind the scenes.

“Everybody thinks coach DeBoer is a calm guy, but when it’s that time, he’s always ready,” running back Daniel Hill told reporters. “And as a team, we feed off him.”

Alabama will be back in action Saturday, facing South Carolina on the road.