Although Alabama football is still Alabama football, there is a stark contrast between Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban. They are two very different people with two very different styles both on and off the field.
The head coach’s office at the Mal Moore Athletic Center serves as the perfect example!
Saban, being an old-school guy, had an old-school look to his place of work. It featured dark wood paneling, leather and upholstered furniture, and classic lamps. A large oil painting of Mark Ingram’s touchdown in the national championship game hung on the wall above the couch and memorabilia was everywhere, including inside the large armoire.
Even when the entire football facility was renovated around him, Saban’s office stayed the same. He also has an office at Bryant-Denny Stadium with similar vibes— simple and fairly retro.
Kalen DeBoer flipped the office on its head! Renovations were completed before fall camp in July and it looks completely different.
Jalen Milroe said on Get Up! that the players are a big fan of the new digs. DeBoer opened it up so that they would have their own place in his space.
He also has by his office a room where players can just sit in there and just have downtime and also a time where he can come in there and just communicate with him on a regular basis, whenever they want to talk to Coach.
— Jalen Milroe
Saban is 72 years old. DeBoer is 23 years younger.
Naturally, they have their own styles and the aesthetic of the office is practically unrecognizable. A few recruits had teased the new look on their visits to Tuscaloosa, but Alabama finally shared the most expansive photo of the office when J.J. Watt stopped by on Friday.
There is a heavy emphasis on glass. Black, white and crimson are the only colors. It is way more modern!
All of Nick Saban’s personal features are gone. DeBoer freshened things up and made the space his own after it went untouched for 17 years. It’s a testament to the new era of Alabama football!