News Article: CJ Dippre discusses the key differences between Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer

[cdub55]

Dippre seemed as if he didn't want to step on anyone's toes with his comments. His main theme was "if it works it works", well I'm not sure all of it worked. Discipline is a staple for championship programs and I hope to see more of it moving forward.

The key differences between Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer, per recent Alabama starter

Tight end CJ Dippre shared his thoughts on "Beat Everyone," AL.com's Alabama football podcast, about the differences between Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer.

www.al.com

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm not sure what to make of the discipline from DeBoer. Greg McElroy who obviously was allowed to attend some practices last year said DeBoer isn't a "softy" and gets in their butts at practice. But his game-day demeanor and things I see on the field suggest otherwise. So I don't know what to make of DeBoer's "discipline".

 

[cdub55]

I'm not sure what to make of the discipline from DeBoer. Greg McElroy who obviously was allowed to attend some practices last year said DeBoer isn't a "softy" and gets in their butts at practice. But his game-day demeanor and things I see on the field suggest otherwise. So I don't know what to make of DeBoer's "discipline".

I think the key to discipline is consistency. When players know the expectation/standard and the ramifications of not meeting them, you see a culture change. Yelling is good and great but if there aren't any actions attached to those issues, you are a dog barking at a squirrel in a tree. I'll add, Saban screamed more than the average coach, but he had a lot of bite behind that instruction. Young people today rarely change long term because of being screamed at. It is a temporary way to fix things but if playing time, running, or some other physical action isn't attached to the standard it is hard to get the desired result. Our players need leaders who are going to push them out of their comfort zone mentally and physically on a daily basis. Saban was a master at that. He didn't allow anyone within his organization (coaches, players, etc) to exist with an entitled mindset. He was either going to make you change how you acted or find somewhere else to do it. Was Saban perfect? Absolutely not. He gave some players more grace than sometimes we like to remember but overall he kept EVERYONE on their tip toes and made sure they understood what the expectation was. We have to get back to that. Last years team was entitled and thought they were too good to lose to Vandy, Oklahoma, etc. Turns out we aren't.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

I'm not sure what to make of the discipline from DeBoer. Greg McElroy who obviously was allowed to attend some practices last year said DeBoer isn't a "softy" and gets in their butts at practice. But his game-day demeanor and things I see on the field suggest otherwise. So I don't know what to make of DeBoer's "discipline".

My main thing is if he's going to tear into backups in garbage time for doing something wrong (which he did multiple times) then I want to see him treat the starters equally and tear into them when they aren't doing things right (which he hasn't done).

That is the main thing about gameday that really bothered me from a HC demeanor and actions standpoint.

 

[Elefantman]

I want to get back to where QBs and centers arguing over blocking assignments in the fourth quarter with a 30 point lead . That's the kind of discipline we need.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I want to get back to where QBs and centers arguing over blocking assignments in the fourth quarter with a 30 point lead . That's the kind of discipline we need.

Gone forever unfortunately. The Saban legend is already alive but think it will grow exponentially going forward. Heck, he is the best TV guy they have now but soon that will end because of all the karens complaining about "colorful" language.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Personally, I feel like this is one of those things where if you win then you're praised for your style and if you lose you're raked over the coals for it. There are coaches in basically every sport that have succeeded by being players coaches and those who have succeeded being old school tough coaches.

If you have a really tough coach and start losing games then people are going to say you lost the locker room by being petty, but if you win then you're a great old school style coach.

If you have more of a players coach and you lose games then he's to soft, but if you win then your players love you and you're praised for it.

Idk enough about DeBoer day to day to have a strong opinion on this subject when it comes to him. But if this team makes it back to the playoffs and at least gets close to a championship then I'm sure opinions will change for those who don't like his style. If we miss the playoffs again then I would bet the discontent about his style will grow much louder.

 

[Tideflyer]

Gone forever unfortunately. The Saban legend is already alive but think it will grow exponentially going forward. Heck, he is the best TV guy they have now but soon that will end because of all the karens complaining about "colorful" language.

I’m sorry. The wussification of America. For the longest time, it’s seemed like so many are so easily “ offended” . I’m sure we’ve done it to ourselves by the way our children and grandchildren have been raised. Our parent’s generation just had more spine, I think. Of course, depressions and world wars will have a tendency to provide that, I suppose. Rant over.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I’m sorry. The wussification of America. For the longest time, it’s seemed like so many are so easily “ offended” . I’m sure we’ve done it to ourselves by the way our children and grandchildren have been raised. Our parent’s generation just had more spine, I think. Of course, depressions and world wars will have a tendency to provide that, I suppose. Rant over.

Nick Saban said one time "Tough times make tough people and easy times make soft people". I think our society (sports society specifically) has naturally become soft due to the advancements in society and just overall conveniences. I coach youth baseball, and HS level baseball and help with HS girls' softball. This is prevalent on those levels no doubt.

I think as parents who live in a very, very advanced society it is imperative that we keep struggles in our kids' lives so they can develop the proper coping skills for life. Because no matter how advanced our society becomes, life's problems when we become adults never get easier.

 

[DrollTide]

Gone forever unfortunately. The Saban legend is already alive but think it will grow exponentially going forward. Heck, he is the best TV guy they have now but soon that will end because of all the karens complaining about "colorful" language.

I agree with you completely, however I would like to point out in the gentlest possible way that the colorful language in question is not allowed on this forum. I'm a big fan of colorful personalities and colorful language, even though I don't use it myself, but I respect anyone who chooses to demand old-fashioned norms for language.

 

[BamaMoon]

It's hard to judge CKD on his first year. He tried to do the impossible: follow the GOAT who is sitting up in the luxury box watching.

I'm pretty sure it was a surreal experience just from that alone. But when you factor in the portal and NIL it goes from tough to impossible.

I think this year will give us a better look at how things might be under his program moving forward.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Nick Saban said one time "Tough times make tough people and easy times make soft people". I think our society (sports society specifically) has naturally become soft due to the advancements in society and just overall conveniences. I coach youth baseball, and HS level baseball and help with HS girls' softball. This is prevalent on those levels no doubt.

I think as parents who live in a very, very advanced society it is imperative that we keep struggles in our kids' lives so they can develop the proper coping skills for life. Because no matter how advanced our society becomes, life's problems when we become adults never get easier.

Conflict resolution: society doesn’t know how to handle situations that don’t go the way they wanted.

It’s getting worse. Someone threw a water bottle into the court over a technical foul in the Creighton v. Louisville game.

 

[AlexanderFan]

It's hard to judge CKD on his first year. He tried to do the impossible: follow the GOAT who is sitting up in the luxury box watching.

I'm pretty sure it was a surreal experience just from that alone. But when you factor in the portal and NIL it goes from tough to impossible.

I think this year will give us a better look at how things might be under his program moving forward.

Unexpected highs, unexpected lows, all the while trying to navigate this new track of NiL.

 

[JohnD]

Personally, I feel like this is one of those things where if you win then you're praised for your style and if you lose you're raked over the coals for it. There are coaches in basically every sport that have succeeded by being players coaches and those who have succeeded being old school tough coaches.

If you have a really tough coach and start losing games then people are going to say you lost the locker room by being petty, but if you win then you're a great old school style coach.

If you have more of a players coach and you lose games then he's to soft, but if you win then your players love you and you're praised for it.

Idk enough about DeBoer day to day to have a strong opinion on this subject when it comes to him. But if this team makes it back to the playoffs and at least gets close to a championship then I'm sure opinions will change for those who don't like his style. If we miss the playoffs again then I would bet the discontent about his style will grow much louder.

Bingo. Winning fixes everything. Whatever works, works.

I will add, coaches can be player's coaches and still have strong discipline. Doesn't mean it has to be inmates running the asylum, and doesn't mean they have to rant and rave on the sidelines and leave a wake of broken headsets. Year one was a massive transition for the players, the fans, the culture and for DeBoer. All witnessed while we watched Saban from a different perspective every Saturday on the set and made our comparison's to what/how we "thought" Saban might have done if he was still coaching, which is impossible to know. This season we'll find out a lot more about what is normal for DeBoer as Alabama's coach.

 

[CB4]

I have a friend whose father was a top coach in the Birmingham area for a number of years. He was also a great teacher and motivator of his players and students.

I once asked him what were his “keys” motivation and discipline?”. Paraphrasing he said “consistency across the board when it comes to execution and preparation as “the team”. However, you treat each individual player and student differently, because they ARE different from the team. No, they don’t get “special treatment”. They still must do everything in terms of following the rules of discipline set forth for team. But you can never forget people are motivated for different reasons. When I can get the individual to align their personal motivations with team goals, then we have a path to success. If I can’t, they will not be part of the team for long. The bottom line is this. You can work a kid to death under the guise of “discipline” but unless they modify their personal goals to that of the team, it will get you nowhere”.

He went on to say he was a “screamer and hard ***” early on in his career. But he learned there was more to discipline than this.

 

[RammerJammer14]

I have a friend whose father was a top coach in the Birmingham area for a number of years. He was also a great teacher and motivator of his players and students.

I once asked him what were his “keys” motivation and discipline?”. Paraphrasing he said “consistency across the board when it comes to execution and preparation as “the team”. However, you treat each individual player and student differently, because they ARE different from the team. No, they don’t get “special treatment”. They still must do everything in terms of following the rules of discipline set forth for team. But you can never forget people are motivated for different reasons. When I can get the individual to align their personal motivations with team goals, then we have a path to success. If I can’t, they will not be part of the team for long. The bottom line is this. You can work a kid to death under the guise of “discipline” but unless they modify their personal goals to that of the team, it will get you nowhere”.

He went on to say he was a “screamer and hard ***” early on in his career. But he learned there was more to discipline than this.

I’ve never found that yelling was particularly tied to discipline. What matters is standards, and holding people to them. Yelling or not yelling is a personality thing, and a people management thing (ie, some people respond to yelling and some shut down- always been this way- and you have to know how to motivate each).

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I’ve never found that yelling was particularly tied to discipline. What matters is standards, and holding people to them. Yelling or not yelling is a personality thing, and a people management thing (ie, some people respond to yelling and some shut down- always been this way- and you have to know how to motivate each).

A lot of it has to do with mutual respect. Coach K once said that, "discipline is simply doing what you are supposed to do, when you are supposed to do it."

 

[81usaf92]

I’ve never found that yelling was particularly tied to discipline. What matters is standards, and holding people to them. Yelling or not yelling is a personality thing, and a people management thing (ie, some people respond to yelling and some shut down- always been this way- and you have to know how to motivate each).

most kids hear far worse at home so it’s usually an ineffective tool as an educator/coach.

 

[bamaga]

Nick Saban said one time "Tough times make tough people and easy times make soft people". I think our society (sports society specifically) has naturally become soft due to the advancements in society and just overall conveniences. I coach youth baseball, and HS level baseball and help with HS girls' softball. This is prevalent on those levels no doubt.

I think as parents who live in a very, very advanced society it is imperative that we keep struggles in our kids' lives so they can develop the proper coping skills for life. Because no matter how advanced our society becomes, life's problems when we become adults never get easier.

This is why I am so proud of my daughter. My mid teen Granddaughter is always upset with her mother because her mother makes her work for what she gets or doesn’t let her do the things other teens her age do. Like stay out all hours of the night, or do things without adult supervision in the near vicinity. My Daughter is an RN and her husband is a department head engineer at Honda (miss State, ugh) they have the means to raise spoiled , privileged children. They choose not to. Anyway, back on topic.

 

[TideEngineer08]

I'm not sure what to make of the discipline from DeBoer. Greg McElroy who obviously was allowed to attend some practices last year said DeBoer isn't a "softy" and gets in their butts at practice. But his game-day demeanor and things I see on the field suggest otherwise. So I don't know what to make of DeBoer's "discipline".

Unfortunately last year's results suggest he is a softy. But, maybe he had the typical first year issues getting to know all the players and how they tick.

If there was discipline in the practices, it would have translated to game day. But let us not forget Coach Saban's first season... and whether we like it or not, there were several malcontents in the program when DeBoer took over last year.