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Video above: Kalen DeBoer gives his first Crimson Tide speechAlabama introduced Kalen DeBoer as the next head football coach on Saturday afternoon. He gave his first speech as a member of the Crimson Tide.>> Who is Kalen DeBoer? What to know about Alabama's next head football coachThe Speech"We're going to continue to strive to make this thing better altogether," DeBoer said.He noted that this place is special. And that Nick Saban has worked hard to make the program what it is.DeBoer said he is putting himself in the players' shoes, who came to play for Saban and now don't know what's ahead.Watch the full speech below. "The legendary coach that they came to play for...and now what's next," DeBoer said.He thanked Saban for all he's done."He's the best in the business to ever do it," DeBoer said.He noted that Saban will have 100% access to everything and he will be asking Saban for advice moving forward.>> Saban to ESPN: 'Last season was difficult for me from just a health standpoint' DeBoer said the history and tradition of the program are a major part of the reason why he came to Alabama. The resources for the players and staff will also help him be a better coach. Development is important, as a focus for him is to "build better men.""The culture will be contagious," DeBoer said.He pointed to the fact that they will be working on both mental and physical toughness while thinking about strengths and the people on the team."Anything worth anything at all is hard," DeBoer said. He noted that's important in life. It isn't just about the coaches, it's about the players for him."The guys on the field are the ones that make the plays," DeBoer said.He ended his speech with, "Thank you, and Roll Tide!" Alabama Head Football Coach Kalen DeBoer Answers QuestionsSaban's shoesWhen asked about stepping into Saban's shoes, DeBoer said part of it is confidence in yourself and another is knowing that you can't expect to fill the shoes exactly."I believe in what I can do," DeBoer said in terms of being able to build on what the program already is.He said that it has been emotional for himself and the players he has been with."If you truly want to be a champion, you sometimes have to go through these hard moments because that's what's going to make you better," DeBoer said.He is challenging the players to stay the course. Video below: DeBoer steps off of the plane in TuscaloosaThe next few daysIn the next few days, DeBoer said he is focusing on staffing. He said he always believes in building around coordinators."First and foremost, the recruiting needs to happen within this team and getting them to buy in," DeBoer said.He was honest when he said that people do try to take advantage of this moment with the Alabama team, and so he wants to touch base with the roster and potential players.The pressureDeBoer is asking himself, players and coaches to "bring your best energy, attitude and effort.""I'm all about winning," DeBoer said.When he first found out that Alabama was interested in him, DeBoer said he was "really excited.""I think most importantly it's about making sure my values are the values that Alabama has," DeBoer said.Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne Answers QuestionsThe process"I don't ever look at it as first choice, second choice, third choice," Byrne said.He said there are plans A, B and C, but they aren't necessarily in order. "This could be our guy," Byrne said to himself after talking to DeBoer for the first time.When they met, DeBoer needed to have the right attitude."He was excited, honored to take on the program with tradition that it is," Byrne said.Alabama's importantByrne remembers Paul Bryant coming out of the tunnel, even though he never grew up in Alabama."If you want a chance of going after and being a part of the really special things in our country...you want to be in Alabama," DeBoer said. ResponsibilityHe thought about the players, the department and the fan base when choosing DeBoer."You think about the responsibility that you have," Byrne said.About DeBoerDeBoer was officially been named on Friday, taking over for the legendary Nick Saban.DeBoer most recently led the Washington Huskies to the 2024 CFP National Championship. In 2022, his first year with the program, he led the Huskies to an 11-2 overall record and a win over Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl, according to his Washington Athletics bio. Those 11 wins were more than any first-year head coach earned in the school's history. "I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence," DeBoer said in a statement on Friday. "The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward. Following Coach Saban is an honor. He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented. I would not have left Washington for just any school. The chance to lead the football program at The University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime. My family and I feel truly blessed and look forward to becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community. I want to thank Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, President Stuart R. Bell, Chancellor Finis St. John and The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees for their belief in me to lead this program." >> 'An outstanding choice': Nick Saban praises his successor, Kalen DeBoerStay updated on the latest sports stories with the �������� 13 app. You can download it here.Related