It’s a custom of the college football season for head coaches across the nation to meet with the media towards the beginning of the week and discuss the prior week’s matchup and preview their upcoming test. Fans are often privy to the quotes coming out of their own team’s HQ, but what about their upcoming opponents’?
Let’s take a look at some of the quotes that Alabama’s head coach Kalen DeBoer had to say that referenced Indiana specifically in his Monday press conference.
Q: Opening statement…
“…we understand we’ve got a great football team with Indiana. Coach Cignetti, just what he’s done is amazing here these last two years, just building the program as quickly as he’s done to the level it’s at…”
Q: With you and Curt Cignetti in this match-up, got me thinking about just the unique paths that you both took to become head coaches at places like Alabama and Indiana. I wonder how your path and all the different stops and all the levels of college football helped prepare you to lead a program at the highest level with all that’s changing in college football today?
“Yeah, just knowing Coach Cignetti, and you referred to it, his path, nothing but respect, again, how he’s done it, how he’s gotten to this spot. A lot of work goes into it.
I think coming back to your question, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I think there’s things that you do that give you an appreciation for the moment you’re in, having an opportunity to be here at Alabama. But I also think there’s moments you go through. With the playoffs the way they are, us having to go four rounds, been through that many, many years, whether it was as an assistant or as a head coach, going back to Sioux Falls days.
I think building a staff and having the network and the contacts has helped me surround people with a lot of knowledge, but also the right type of people to help lead you, especially in today’s day and age of college football and building a team.
I think all of it goes into just being built for these moments that come.
But I’ve been really blessed, been blessed to be around a lot of great coaches who have mentored me along the way, that I’ve taken things from to be able to be successful in the moments that we’re in now.”
Q: As far as the game goes, Indiana’s rushing attack has been really productive, even though Mendoza won the Heisman, has been kind of the guy getting more attention. I’d like your thoughts from a coaching chair, what makes Indiana’s running game good? How good do you feel Indiana’s offensive line has been and is playing going into this game?
“Still diving into it, but I think the thing that jumps out at me, with the first glance here the last day or so, is how well they work together, the offensive line, in particular, and just everyone being in sync.
They’re always moving forward. And the opposite end, the defense, has the tackles for losses and is physical as well.
But I just think with obviously Mendoza winning the Heisman, that doesn’t happen by accident. You put a whole season of film together, of games and stringing them each and every week and you end up undefeated because a trigger man can make some plays and do his things at an extremely high level.
I look at their skill around the offensive line, they just all complement each other. They go make plays. When the opportunities are there, they get it done.
And there’s great coaching you can see to put them in spots to succeed, but also the guys, you can see they play with a swagger, with a confidence, and as they should with the success they’ve had.”
Q: I imagine you haven’t sort of deep dived into Indiana just the last few years. But I’m curious, you were around here at a time when this program was really emphasizing investment in football and really sort of trying to be bold about sort of dreaming bigger and pushing the boat out farther. In what you’ve been able to see of Coach Cignetti, do you see more of that, that basically kind of the impact of a place really investing in a way that says we want to be more competitive in football and we’re going to be really proactive about it?
“Yeah, no, I think you’re right. I do pay attention just because it’s a place I’ve been, pay a little more attention. I can’t say — we’re worried about your own place and where you’re at. But I felt like when we were there, there was a growth, an investment that was happening and there was success in ’19 when I was there that felt like you were getting over the hump and that extended into the next season as well.
But there’s certainly — Coach Cignetti has done a great job providing the spark, which really leads to people continuing to be all in. As you get more people all in, you get the moments that you’re in right now.
So, I think it works off of each other, the energy, and the commitment to the success, working hand in hand with the people that are there. So, nothing but a great time there that I had. It was short-lived, but one that I remember, and my family as well.”
Q: Wanted to ask you about Kane. He was obviously there at Indiana with you. And I’m just curious, what was it about him? I’m assuming his time at Indiana played a heavy influence on you wanting to bring him on board at Alabama. What’s stood out, is there anything about his time at Indiana that stands out to you? I guess also, what’s it like for all you guys. I know there’s a lot of former IU guys on staff, to come full circle and play this game against Indiana.
“Yeah, I’m probably missing some — Coach Ballou, Coach Sheridan — but your reference to Kane, here’s what I saw when I was there. First of all, a guy that really wanted me to come, be a part of it. And then when I was there, doing everything he could to be a team player.
Focused on running a defense — I was the offensive coordinator — but practice plans, whatever it was, be willing to work to do whatever was best for our team, not just his side of the ball.
Then there obviously has to be a production and a style of coaching that you feel fits. And whether it’s what he does as a defensive coordinator or especially down here now with his home for the most part being down here in the East what he could bring as far as familiarity to the league, the region.
It was just a great fit, a great opportunity. And for him to jump on board and be a part of this, see what he’s done with our defense, he’s a great coach, great person, great family man. Our players really believe in him. Our staff does, too, as he manages them.
It’s been really a great opportunity. And I’m glad that he was a big part of me coming there, trying to get me to Indiana. I’m glad he returned the favor and came when I called him as well.”