Kalen DeBoer is still new enough to the state to be surprised at the reaction he gets when he greets crowds with a “Roll Tide.”

Kalen DeBoer, the head coach of the University of Washington football team, has only recently made a name for himself in the Pacific Northwest, but his roots in college football are deep and wide-reaching. As a young coach who has risen quickly through the ranks, he finds himself in a position where his interactions with fans and players are laden with a combination of admiration, curiosity, and high expectations. Despite his growing fame, there’s something that still catches DeBoer off guard — the reaction he receives when he greets crowds with the words “Roll Tide.”

For those who don’t follow college football closely, “Roll Tide” is not a phrase typically associated with the University of Washington, nor is it one that you would expect to hear from the lips of a new Huskies head coach. It’s a battle cry used by fans of the University of Alabama, one of the most successful and storied programs in college football history. It signifies not just school pride but a deep, almost reverential connection to the Alabama Crimson Tide. So, when DeBoer — who was born and raised in South Dakota and has spent time coaching at various schools, including Fresno State — uses this phrase, it’s an unexpected but revealing glimpse into his background.

A Background of Unexpected Connections

Kalen DeBoer’s path to Washington is unusual in the world of college football coaches. His career didn’t start with flashy roles at high-profile programs. Instead, he built his reputation from the ground up, working in smaller schools and learning the ropes of offensive coaching. He first gained national attention as the offensive coordinator at Fresno State, where he transformed the Bulldogs into one of the most potent offenses in the country. His success caught the eye of the University of Washington, and in 2022, DeBoer was hired to lead the Huskies.

But DeBoer’s history with college football stretches back much further. Before his rise to prominence as a head coach, he had stints in various roles across the country, including a crucial period at the University of Alabama as an assistant coach. He worked under Nick Saban, the legendary head coach of the Crimson Tide, learning the intricacies of one of the most dominant programs in college football. Saban’s influence on DeBoer was profound, shaping much of his philosophy on coaching, discipline, and leadership.

Given this, it’s not surprising that DeBoer’s use of “Roll Tide” is both a personal nod to his formative coaching years and an attempt to connect with the larger college football culture. But it’s a connection that’s not always immediately understood by the fans he addresses.

The Impact of “Roll Tide” on Washington Fans

To the average college football fan in Washington, DeBoer’s use of “Roll Tide” might seem like an odd choice. After all, the Huskies and the Crimson Tide aren’t exactly rivals in any traditional sense. Washington’s history has been defined by moments of glory, but they’re not the perennial powerhouses like Alabama. Alabama fans are known for their unwavering loyalty, and the phrase “Roll Tide” carries with it a heavy, almost sacred weight. It’s a chant that reverberates across the stadiums of the Southeastern Conference and symbolizes the dominance of a football program that has won countless championships and consistently fielded championship-caliber teams.

So, when Kalen DeBoer greets a crowd at Washington — where fans are accustomed to their own traditions, chants, and battle cries — with “Roll Tide,” the reaction can be jarring. Some may look on in confusion, unsure of why the new coach is invoking the phrase of an SEC powerhouse, while others might see it as a reflection of his respect for the game, his coaching roots, and his relationship with Alabama. There’s a certain beauty in this moment: the idea that college football, with all its regional pride and history, is not just about school rivalries but about the shared respect for the craft of coaching and the depth of experience that each coach brings to the table.

The Personal Connection: DeBoer’s Admiration for Saban and Alabama

To understand DeBoer’s use of “Roll Tide,” one must first understand the significance of his time at Alabama. While DeBoer didn’t spend as long at Alabama as other notable coaches in the industry, his stint under Nick Saban was formative. Saban is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, and his program at Alabama is the gold standard for consistency and excellence in college football. For DeBoer, working under Saban was an invaluable experience. Saban’s influence can be seen in DeBoer’s coaching approach, which emphasizes discipline, attention to detail, and an unrelenting work ethic.

During his time at Alabama, DeBoer learned firsthand from one of the best in the business, observing Saban’s meticulous preparation, his handling of players, and his ability to maintain excellence year after year. These lessons have shaped DeBoer’s own coaching style, and the “Roll Tide” phrase is a subtle tribute to that relationship. It’s a way for him to pay homage to the man who helped him refine his coaching philosophy, even as he builds his own legacy in the Pacific Northwest.

DeBoer’s time at Alabama was also marked by a sense of personal development. He was an assistant coach at a time when he was still learning the ropes of leading a team, but he was also working with athletes and coaches who demanded the best of him. It was a challenging yet rewarding environment that molded him into the coach he is today. This respect and admiration for Alabama are not just about the team’s on-field success but also about the broader culture of excellence that defines the Crimson Tide. In many ways, it’s that same culture of excellence that DeBoer is trying to instill at Washington.

The Culture of College Football: A Unified Respect

College football is a world rich with tradition, where each program has its own set of customs, rivalries, and chants that fans hold dear. The phrase “Roll Tide” has become synonymous with Alabama’s winning culture and storied history, but it’s also a symbol of something larger — the bond between coaches, players, and fans, all united in the pursuit of greatness. While Washington’s fans may not initially connect with “Roll Tide” in the way Alabama’s do, they can still understand the sentiment behind it.

DeBoer’s use of the phrase is not just about invoking Alabama’s legacy but about connecting to the broader community of college football, where respect for the game and for one another transcends individual rivalries. It’s a reminder that college football, at its core, is about more than just wins and losses; it’s about the people, the relationships, and the shared pursuit of excellence. By saying “Roll Tide,” DeBoer is recognizing his roots and the people who have helped him grow, even as he builds his future at Washington.

The Future of DeBoer and Washington

As DeBoer continues to establish his presence at Washington, his unique blend of experience and humility will likely endear him to fans and players alike. His reference to “Roll Tide” is just one of many ways he signals his deep appreciation for the broader college football landscape. It’s a small detail in the grand scheme of his coaching career, but it speaks volumes about his journey, his respect for his past, and his desire to bring that same winning attitude to the Huskies.

Washington football fans, who have long supported their team with fervor, will soon come to understand that DeBoer’s “Roll Tide” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a symbol of his journey, his mentorship under Saban, and his commitment to building something special in Seattle. The phrase may have initially raised eyebrows, but in time, it will become another part of the fabric of Washington’s football culture — a reminder that even the most unexpected connections can create lasting bonds in the world of college football.