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Being the first head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program after Nick Saban was never going to be easy, but first-year coach Kalen DeBoer is finding the job to be a bit tougher than he may have anticipated.
DeBoer was on top of the world after Alabama’s thrilling 41-34 win over Georgia on Sept. 28 that vaulted the Tide to No. 1 in the AP Poll.
But Bama lost two of its next three games, including its first loss to Vanderbilt in 40 years and a brutal showing against rival Tennessee. Now DeBoer appears to be using a silly gimmick in hopes of getting his team back on track.
CJ Dippre says @AlabamaFTBL has “TNT” signs around the practice facility, which stand for “takes no talent”.
“You make a mistake on a play, get a flag, run and touch the sign…we gotta get back into that.
Own up to it, accept it, flush it, and go 1-0 the next play.” @CjDippre pic.twitter.com/1aP3QTvFiw
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) October 22, 2024
Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer Counting On ‘TNT’ Sign Gimmick To Get Back On Track
Alabama tight end CJ Dippre told reporters this week that DeBoer placed signs that read “TNT” around the Crimson Tide practice facility.
The signs stand for “Take No Talent” and players are forced to run up and touch the signs after making a mistake in practice.
“You make a mistake on a play, get a flag, run and touch the sign…we gotta get back into that. Own up to it. Accept it. Flush it and go 1-0 on the next play ” Dippre said.
Now, on its surface, there’s nothing wrong with the concept. DeBoer is trying to get his players to focus on the little things and eliminate mistakes.
But the Tide has much bigger issues. Quarterback Jalen Milroe went from a Heisman Trophy contender to someone who looks like an undrafted free agent.
Freshman wideout Caleb Odom publically trashed his teammates and head coach on social media, and DeBoer isn’t taking questions on his weekly radio show.
DeBoer is a good head coach. He has had success at every single stop he’s made in his coaching career for a reason. But it’s going to take more than signs at practice to fix this mess.