For the better part of two years, it has felt like every conversation surrounding Alabama football has centered around what Kalen DeBoer isn't.
He's not Nick Saban.
He doesn't coach like Nick Saban.
He doesn't have Nick Saban's personality.
He doesn't carry himself the way Saban did on the sideline.

#deboer

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, quarterback Marcel Reed, linebacker Daymion Sanford, and safety Marcus Ratcliffe spoke to the local and national media during SEC Media Days, previewing the 2026 season at length, especially for those outside the Aggie media sphere who have not paid attention until now.
Entering his second full starting season, Marcel Reed is on track to match his career-high 3,169 passing yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025, while his 12 interceptions were tied for the second most in the SEC; but after adding former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton this offseason, Reed is well equipped to take more shots down the field given Horton's size advantage, especially in the red zone.
However, after offensive coordinator Collin Klein departed to take over as Kansas State's head coach, and instead of hiring outside the program, Mike Elko elevated wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins, who, despite his lack of play-calling experience, served as Klein's Co-OC over the last two seasons, and was former Alabama head coach Nick Saban's long-time WR coach and AHC before making his way to College Station.
On Wednesday, Austin, Texas-based reporter Cory Mose asked Marcel Reed how the transition from Collin Klein to Holmon Wiggins has been just over 40 days before Texas A&M's season-opener vs. Missouri State, citing his strong relationship with new quarterbacks coach Joey Lynch and Wiggins' experience in the program.
"Hasn't been a crazy transition...I'm in the room with coach Wiggins and my quarterbacks coach, coach Lynch a lot this offseason. Just trying to pick their brains a little bit, let them pick mine. So we're on the when it comes to each and every weekend"

#texas #elko

With the conclusion of Texas A&M's appearance at SEC Media Days on Wednesday afternoon, the Aggies are full speed ahead towards the 2026 season opener vs. Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 5, and for third-year coach Mike Elko, building on last season's immense success after making it to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history remains the primary focus.
Already establishing a strong culture, Elko's decision to elevate wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins as the new offensive coordinator received plenty of skepticism from both the fan base and national media alike, but during Wednesday's press conference, Elko continued to cheerlead his decision, which should pay off given that Marcel Reed returns at quarterback for his second full starting season.
Among the national media, ESPN and Amazon Prime Video college football and NFL ****** yst Kirk Herbstreit, one of the hardest-working men in the sports broadcasting landscape, shares a history with Marcel Reed after his sons played with the redshirt junior signal-caller at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee.
However, that doesn't mean Herbstreit has avoided criticizing the Aggie QB when warranted, especially after his poor performance against Texas and Miami in the first round of the CFP, but he remains one of the few, now including former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who fully believe Marcel Reed, similar to Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, to be one of the best overall athletes in the country.
During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Herbstreit stated that he believes Texas A&M could "make a run" towards a national ****** le this season with Marcel Reed leading the way.

#herbstreit

Texas A&M's appearance at SEC Media Days has come and gone, as third-year coach Mike Elko, alongside quarterback Marcel Reed, linebacker Daymion Sanford, and safety Marcus Ratcliffe, spoke to the media at length, covering nearly every topic imaginable related to the upcoming 2026 season's goals, while Sanford, who suffered a lower-body injury this spring, stated that he could return "soon."
While much of the focus geared towards Marcel Reed's goals of taking the "next step" in his development after his career year under center, the redshirt junior signal caller will be working with new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins, who, despite his lack of play-calling experience, received an overwhelming vote of confidence from Mike Elko, who decided against an outside hire after Collin Klein departed to take over as Kansas State's head coach after two seasons.
Before taking over as Texas A&M's wide receivers coach ahead of the 2024 season, Wiggins served as former Alabama coach Nick Saban's WR coach and ******* istant head coach, while developing Heisman-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith during the 2020 season and, most importantly, serving as Klein's Co-OC during the last two seasons.
On Wednesday, during Elko's Q&A portion of the event, the New Jersey native stayed true to his decision in elevating Wiggins, remaining highly confident that, with Marcel Reed back under center, paired with an elite wide receiver room and an equally talented running back rotation, Wiggins' transition should be much smoother than many expect.
"We ran a national search and talked to a lot of guys. One of the mistakes we make is that we ******* ume new is always better," Elko said. "He has a lot of experience at Texas A&M and in this conference. … I have a ton of confidence in who he is as a football coach."

#marcel #wide

One of college football's most legendary head coaches gave much praise to Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and his quarterback Marcel Reed in an interview with ESPN from the 2026 SEC Media Days.
Former Alabama head coach and current college football ******* yst Nick Saban said he really likes what the Aggies bring to the table this season, including the return of Reed as the signal-caller. Texas A&M achieved its first 11-0 start since 1992 and reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in Elko's second season at the helm, paving the way for a higher ceiling and much higher expectations.
According to Saban, Reed's a really good passer who has continued to get better each year. With a slew of talented and electric targets surrounding him, this could be the Nashville, Tennessee, native's chance to take his game to the next level.
It is undeniable that Saban is a believer in what Elko has built in College Station, after being ranked second in program history for best record through the first two seasons (19-7), just behind former Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin. Texas A&M also tied a school record with 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite the loss of production, the Aggies hauled in the No. 4 transfer portal class, No. 7 recruiting class and retained guys like Reed, safety Marcus Ratcliffe and linebacker Daymion Sanford, all of which represented the Maroon and White at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.

#texas #Media

As Ryan Coleman-Williams prepares to start the 2026 Alabama football season as a married man, Nick Saban has chimed in with some advice.
Williams shared on the SEC Network broadcast during the 2026 SEC Football Kickoff that he got married to his now-wife, Alexis Hill, on June 19 following their engagement announcement in February.
Panel moderator Alyssa Lang heard the bells and was reminded of the time she was a newlywed and asked coach Mike Leach, a 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot nominee, if he had any marriage tips. Leach's advice — which was to elope — went viral and was hard to top, but Saban's will serve Coleman-Williams just as well.
"Talk to me," Coleman-Williams pleaded.
REQUIRED READING: Nick Saban hints at his pick to win Alabama football QB battle

#ryan #network

TAMPA, Fla. — The main takeaway from Day 922 of Kalen DeBoer's tenure at Alabama was roughly the same as his first day on the job.
It's OK not to be as sure as the school that just gave him another contract extension for winning one College Football Playoff game.
After eight losses in two seasons, an all-encompassing embarrassment against Indiana 6 1/2 months ago and dozens of press conferences where he says he understands the magnitude of this challenge with an energy more befitting a philosophy professor than football coach, the existential question about Alabama football under DeBoer remains the same.
Is he really the guy?
We're not talking about living up to the standard of Nick Saban. Even for $12.5 million a year, you can't ask a man to chase a ghost.

#Football #tampa #kalen #we 're

As Kalen DeBoer took the stage at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, the uncertainty and countdown to Alabama's quarterback decision continued, with just over a month remaining until the Crimson Tide open the season.
Will DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb turn to sophomore Keelon Russell, or will veteran Austin Mack be handed the reins of the offense as Ty Simpson's successor under center?
Nick Saban may have offered his choice on July 22 while appearing on the SEC Network's coverage of SEC Media Days in Tampa.
REQUIRED READING: Why Jon Sumrall said his Florida move wasn't like Lane Kiffin's to LSU
"I've watched this guy for two springs. He didn't play much in the fall. This guy is a talented guy who is a playmaker who can make plays, and whether he's ready to play now or not — obviously, the coaches have to determine that — he is going to be an outstanding player in the future," Saban said of Russell.

#play

There's been no shortage of news from SEC media days. Things continue with Texas A&M football's representatives taking the stand Wednesday to answer questions.
Aggies linebacker Daymion Sanford, safety Marcus Ratcliffe and quarterback Marcel Reed join head coach Mike Elko in Tampa Bay, Fla. A&M has improved every year under Elko, winning 11 games and making the College Football Playoff in 2025.
Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss representatives will also be available. Although the Crimson Tide is not the perennial powerhouse it was under Nick Saban, head coach Kalen DeBoer returns a talented roster led by wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams. The Gators and Rebels are both under new leadership, with the former headed by Jon Sumrall and the latter by Pete Golding.
Here are live updates from SEC media days.

#coach #texas #aggies

As a quarterback battle brews in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban sees a parallel with one of the most uncertain preseasons of his coaching career with Alabama football.
During an appearance on SEC Network on Wednesday, July 22, the legendary coach reflected on the Crimson Tide's turbulent 2015 quarterback competition, when three different QBs saw action through Alabama's first three games before Jake ***** er ultimately led the program to a national championship.
Those days are gone, and the Kalen DeBoer era has arrived. The current offense isn't loaded with weapons like Derrick Henry or Calvin Ridley, but instead returns the least amount of production in the SEC.
"We just needed a quarterback to manage the game and not mess it up, and (to) be able to throw the ball down the field and complement the great running game we have," Saban said of the 2015 situation.
While the circumstances aren't identical, Saban believes Alabama once again has multiple quarterbacks capable of winning games on its roster.

#saban

Longtime Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney admits college football is facing plenty of challenges, but those issues haven't changed his desire to remain on the sidelines.
During an interview with national radio host Dan Sileo, Swinney was asked whether he has ever considered following Nick Saban's path and stepping away from coaching because of the sport's rapidly changing landscape. Swinney quickly dismissed the idea, saying the current environment is exactly why experienced coaches are needed.
"No. Things always change. But to me, now is the time where we need leadership. These kids need leadership," Swinney said.
Swinney acknowledged that college football is dealing with a lack of structure, comparing it to "a ship that's just kinda drifting in the high seas." While he believes there's never been a better time to be a college football player, he also said it's never been more difficult for athletes to navigate everything that comes with the modern game.
Rather than dwelling on those concerns, Swinney said he remains focused on what Clemson can control. He pointed to the program's graduation and retention rates while emphasizing that developing young men has always been his biggest motivation.

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables received national recognition on Friday when he was named to the Dodd Trophy preseason watch list ahead of the 2026 season. The university announced that Venables is among the coaches being considered for one of college football's most respected coaching honors.
The award is named in honor of legendary Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Bobby Dodd. Established in 1976, the award recognizes an FBS coach whose program embodies three core principles: scholarship, leadership and integrity. The award goes beyond on-field success, recognizing coaches who prioritize academic achievement, community involvement and developing players beyond football.
Past winners include notable coaches such as Indiana Hoosiers' Curt Cignetti, Notre Dame Fighting Irish's Marcus Freeman, Alabama Crimson Tide's Nick Saban and Kansas State Wildcats' Bill Snyder. The only time an Oklahoma head coach has won the award was in 2003, when Bob Stoops received the honor.
Everything the Dodd Trophy recognizes is exactly how Venables has wanted to develop his teams. Venables has consistently emphasized that success is measured not only by wins and losses but also by the development of his players as people.
That's a big reason he started the SOUL Mission when he took over. Venables has spent the last four seasons rebuilding Oklahoma's culture. While the results on the field will ultimately determine his candidacy, his commitment to leadership, academics and player development makes him a natural fit for what the Dodd Trophy represents. If Oklahoma competes for championships in 2026, Venables could add another major honor to his growing résumé.

It's been a rollercoaster ride over the last two weeks for former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold.
Arnold was arrested and charged with eight felony counts of robbery and kidnapping, but was later released on a $1 million bond.
But he was released by the Lions the same day. Former NFL MVP Cam Newton says that although he doesn't agree with what Arnold did, he doesn't think that he's a bad guy, and he even understands why he may have committed this alleged crime.
“He went to Alabama. Obviously, having a letter of recommendation to the judge from Nick Saban. This does not match who he is,” Newton explained on his 4th&1 podcast. “But what I will do in this particular situation is use Terrion Arnold’s situation to not only speak to Terrion, but also to speak to athletes and people of influence around the world.
“You don’t think you’re a big deal, brother," Newton added further. "You don’t think you’re a big deal, sister, until something happens that will remind you that you can be on top of the world one day, next day the world could be on top of you. Terrion knows better, and at the end of the day, was he wrong? He was only wrong because he got caught. And when you unpack what happened, and the amount of money or the things that was stolen, it will leave anybody outraged.”

The Detroit Lions released cornerback Terrion Arnold after he was charged with four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery relating to an alleged incident. However, his college coach, Nick Saban, is still standing beside him.
Arnold is alleged to have orchestrated a scheme where three men were kidnapped after he believed they stole more than $250,000 of his property from an Airbnb rental. Although Arnold was not at the kidnapping scene, it's claimed he was the "primary conspirator" and that the events were live-streamed to him to witness. The charges were serious enough for the Lions to cut ties immediately with the 23-year-old former first-round draft pick.
However, the Alabama graduate still has his former coach in his corner. As Arnold was granted a $1 million bond on Monday, Saban wrote a letter to the court vouching for his former player's character.
The letter reads in full:
Dear Judge Sabella,

Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, with the ****** istance of attorney Harvey Steinberg, managed to persuade a judge to release Arnold on bail while awaiting trial on felony charges for armed robbery and kidnapping. Arnold got an ****** ist from one of his former coaches.
Via Mike Rodak of 247Sports.com, former Alabama coach Nick Saban sent a letter to the presiding judge vouching for Arnold's character.
"I write this letter because of the exceptional character I witnessed in Terrion Arnold over the more than six years I have known him," Saban wrote.
"Over the years, I have welcomed Terrion into my home and around my family. He has consistently treated my family and my staff with respect, humility and kindness. In all the time I have known him, he never once gave me cause to question his conduct, his integrity, or his respect for others. I don't ever recall him being involved in any behavior that would be described as aggressive or irresponsible."
Saban, who coached Arnold from 2021 through 2023, nevertheless gave himself an out, in the event that Arnold ultimately did something that would conflict with Saban's impression of him.

There's no grace period at Toledo.

Why is Toledo is among the best programs not to make the College Football Playoff in the playoff era? Consistency.

That, and magnificent coaching.
© James Snook-Imagn Images
Try this for a coaching run since 1990.

Nick Saban. The head man in a 9-2 season turned out to be pretty good.

Who took over? Gary Pinkel - all he did was turn into a legend at Missouri after a fantastic ten-year run with the Rockets.
Tom Amstutz started 45-18 before things fell off. Tim Beckman turned his time with Toledo into the Illinois job.

Matt Campbell had three nine-win seasons in four years before going to Iowa State (and now Penn State), and Jason Candle never had a losing season and won two MAC ***** les before going to UConn.
In comes Mike Jacobs, who won two straight SoCon championships with Mercer after winning a South Atlantic ***** le at Lenoir-Rhyne, and all that after turning Notre Dame College into a Division II powerhouse.

Ten years, no losing seasons, only the four-game 2020 season with fewer than eight wins.

The Rockets aren't stopping.

When Nick Saban retired from Alabama, he effectively brought an end to one of the greatest dynasties in college football history. Alabama no longer sits atop the sport. Instead, the focus has shifted to a new question: Which program will become college football’s next powerhouse?
As the expanded College Football Playoff era takes shape, several programs should emerge as annual contenders. But which of them has the potential to build a dynasty of its own? Replicating Saban’s unprecedented success may be impossible, but a new dominant force could soon emerge.
MORE: Paul Finebaum is right about Kalen DeBoer-led Alabama
Here are three programs positioned to become the next dynasty in college football.
If any SEC program looks capable of winning it all year after year, it’s Georgia under Kirby Smart.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Last week, I argued that the Big 12 faced a defining moment.
Would Commissioner Brett Yormark, UCF and the rest of the conference membership stand up for the integrity of college athletics, or would they surrender to the growing reality Nick Saban recently described before Congress — a world in which every NCAA rule is merely an invitation to file a lawsuit?
Now we have our answer.
The Big 12 stood up.
And Texas Tech backed down.

Nick Saban is widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches in the history of college football. He is famously known for coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, where he earned most of his success and fame.
He currently works as an ESPN ******* yst and covers college football. He has recently involved himself in a high-profile legal case in the country’s college football framework.
Recently, on June 3, 2026, Saban testified before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in support of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. The legislation seeks to establish national standards for NIL deals, limit athlete transfers to one without penalty, cap eligibility at five years, restrict mid-season coaching changes, and grant the NCAA stronger enforcement authority.
Saban has criticized the NIL, as he believes that it has become a pay-for-play system driven by collectives. He has urged the government to intervene and take charge of the situation. After his testimony, many critics attacked him as they felt like he did not want college athletes to be making money.
Soon after, his daughter Kristen posted a detailed Instagram statement on her story to defend her father’s statement. She wrote, “The issue is whether the current NIL system is sustainable for college athletics as a whole, NOT about how much coaches make. Most people don’t realize that football revenue funds far more than football. It helps support women’s sports, Olympic sports, golf, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, softball, baseball, track and field, and countless opportunities for student-athletes who will never make millions.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the college sports industry enters one of the most exciting stretches of its calendar.
In Oklahoma City, a national champion will be crowned at the Women’s College World Series in a ***** le bout pitting rivals Texas and Texas Tech. At eight different on-campus super regional sites, baseball parks will be teeming with fans as a trip to Omaha is on the line.
And on Capitol Hill, inside a marble-walled committee room, with the future of college athletics at stake, a much different game is set to be played: the political one.
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban, Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua and Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould headline a lineup of witnesses testifying in a hearing before members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday morning — perhaps the most significant of the more than a dozen hearings held here since 2020.
At the center of what’s supposed to be a more than two-hour affair is a newly introduced bill from Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell intended to reform the college athletics industry. The “Protect College Sports Act” is the most comprehensive, bipartisan college sports legislation produced during the NCAA’s seven-year lobbying effort — and it’s a bill that many believe has the best chance to pass among those introduced.