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The University of Alabama held its first spring game without Nick Saban on the sidelines in nearly two decades, but what he was able to build in Tuscaloosa was on full display over the weekend.
The Crimson Tide’s spring game was packed, helping new head coach Kalen DeBoer receive his official introduction to SEC football.
DeBoer’s spent the majority of his coaching career on the West Coast, seeing stints with Washington and Fresno State. He was chosen as Saban’s replacement and is quickly seeing just how seriously football is taken on this side of the country.
Spring football’s no joke in Tuscaloosa
The crowd at Alabama’s A-Day game 🤯 pic.twitter.com/MVAZHeRgBX
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) April 13, 2024
The scenes were incredible in Bryant-Denny Stadium, and it seemed every seat was filled – for a glorified scrimmage!
Had you not known the time of year, you would’ve thought it was a beautiful fall Saturday.
The crowd a few minutes before kickoff of Alabama’s spring game. pic.twitter.com/fCtuJEdmLg
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) April 13, 2024
Many know that football is religion in the SEC, which can be both a good and a bad thing. Former Auburn signal caller turned Oregon passer Bo Nix opened up on that “unhealthy obsession” this offseason.
“In the sense, the hostility and maybe the unhealthy pressure that is added to 18- to 22-year-olds by outside noise and fans… It’s a little bit more laid back [on the West Coast] … Football is just a game, and we find the joy in it.”
-Bo Nix
As Nix says, it’s a game to some and life or death to others.
In the South, weekly plans are made around football Saturdays. Families are split across conference rivalries. Bragging rights and trash talk continue well into the offseason.
It’s just different.
There may be no better way of summing that up than by comparing attendance for Kalen DeBoer’s final spring game at Washington to his first at Alabama.
Kalen DeBoer’s spring game crowd last year vs this year.
UW pic: @EthanArles pic.twitter.com/Bh0DzO5kuT— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) April 13, 2024
There’s no comparison!
DeBoer will have pressure to continue success seen in Tuscaloosa, and it seems everyone is eager to see his squad on the field. He’ll see these sold-out crowds on a weekly basis in the fall once his 2024 season gets underway.