Kalen DeBoer is doing something different with Alabama football in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Preseason practice starts Wednesday at 9:05 a.m. Nick Saban had players pushing in the heat of the day during his 17-year coaching tenure for the Crimson Tide. He emphasized the hottest part of the day because he wanted the players to have mental toughness in battling through the heat. Saban’s way served a purpose as the Tide captured six national championships and nine Southeastern Conference titles. Coach DeBoer brings a different level of adversity that he hopes the players will push through.
No one likes the idea of getting up early to run, execute plays, and have coaches barking at you, but it teaches discipline to have athletes understand the importance of being early.