Desperate Times: Alabama Head Coach Turns to Quirky Gimmick to Break Crimson Tide Slump
Taking over as the first head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program aftern Nick Saba was always going to be a challenge, but first-year coach Kalen DeBoer is finding it more difficult than expected.
DeBoer was riding high after Alabama’s exciting 41-34 victory over Georgia on September 28, which propelled the Tide to No. 1 in the AP Poll.
However, the team has since dropped two of its next three games, including a surprising loss to Vanderbilt—Alabama’s first in 40 years—and a disappointing performance against rival Tennessee. Now, DeBoer seems to be resorting to a quirky gimmick in an effort to get his team back on track.
Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer Counting On ‘TNT’ Sign Gimmick To Get Back On Track
Alabama tight end CJ Dippre shared with reporters this week that coach Kalen DeBoer has placed signs around the Crimson Tide practice facility that read “TNT,” which stands for “Take No Talent.” Players are required to run up and touch the signs whenever they make a mistake during practice.
“If you mess up on a play or get a flag, you have to run and touch the sign,” Dippre explained. “We need to own up to it, accept it, flush it, and focus on going 1-0 on the next play.”
While the idea itself isn’t problematic, as DeBoer aims to get his players to concentrate on the details and reduce errors, the Tide are facing much larger challenges. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has seen his stock drop dramatically, going from a Heisman Trophy contender to looking more like an undrafted free agent.
Freshman wide receiver Caleb Odom publicly criticized his teammates and head coach on social media, leading to a tense atmosphere. Meanwhile, DeBoer has opted not to take questions during his weekly radio show.
DeBoer is an effective head coach who has achieved success at every stage of his coaching career for a reason. However, resolving this situation will require more than just practice signs.
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