TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama fans hungry for a return to national-title contention filled Bryant-Denny Stadium for Nick Saban’s first spring game. Kalen DeBoer steps into a much different situation 17 years later. DeBoer wrapped up his first spring with the Crimson Tide on Saturday just a few months into the task of trying to maintain the juggernaut Saban built while navigating a very different world of NIL and the transfer portal. His unofficial debut at Bryant-Denny Stadium drew an announced crowd of 72,358 for the A-Day game, nearly 2,000 more than Husky Stadium’s capacity at Washington. If the scrimmage was not a true gauge of how Alabama will look in DeBoer’s first season, the turnout illustrates the level of interest — and perhaps curiosity and anxiety. “Saban’s the type of guy, he built something,” said season-ticket holder Todd Eddleman, a 58-year-old from Cullman who also was at Saban’s first spring game. “He doesn’t want to see it lose either. He’s proud of what he built. This guy right here, he can keep it up there, there’s no doubt in my mind. I think he’s a great recruiter and coach. I think he’s done a fabulous job, and that’s not an easy thing to do. |
Chinese embassy in U.S. hosts Discover Beijing Opera cultural eventResearch Center for Archaeology of Yan Culture founded in BeijingRockets beat playoffDawn Staley and her NCAA champion South Carolina Gamecocks celebrated with parade and rallyBeijing's Hong'en Temple opens to publicCelebrations of Miao New Year and Guzang Festival held in SW China's GuizhouThe Kings beat the Blazers 121Prince Harry opts for a 'quiet luxury' style in a grey TTomas Hertl's powerIncense industry thrives in Yongchun county, SE China's Fujian