Alabama has wasted no time in finding a replacement for their former head coach, Nick Saban. The expectations are undeniably high for the new coach, as Saban led the team to an impressive record of nine conference titles and six national championships. The University of Alabama's choice to fill this coveted position is Washington coach Kalen Devor.
Devor has had his fair share of success, including leading the Huskies to a Pac 12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship. In fact, he was recently named the A.P. Coach of the Year after an outstanding 14-1 season in 2023. Although the Huskies suffered a loss in the national title game against Michigan, Devor's achievements did not go unnoticed.
Expressing his gratitude and acknowledging the pressure of following in Saban's footsteps, Devor stated, '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.'
Meanwhile, in the NFL, the playoffs are set to kick off with two games on Saturday. One of the matchups, the Chiefs versus the Dolphins, is expected to face frigid weather conditions in Kansas City. With temperatures dipping as low as zero degrees and wind chills ranging from minus 10 to minus 15 degrees, the players remain unfazed and even excited for the playoff game. The Chiefs' players view this as a unique experience and are ready for the adrenaline rush that comes with playing football in such extreme weather.
In contrast, the atmosphere in Miami will be significantly milder as the Dolphins visit the Chiefs. The game is scheduled to start at 8:10 Eastern time. Prior to that, the Houston Texans will host the Cleveland Browns at 4:30. Buffalo is also preparing for their home game against the Steelers on Sunday, but heavy snowfall has posed a challenge. In an attempt to clear the field before kickoff, the Bills are recruiting fans to help with the shoveling. Those willing to lend a hand will be rewarded with $20 an hour, complimentary food, and breaks to warm up.
Lastly, during the halftime show of Friday night's game between the Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors, the Bulls celebrated their first-ever Ring of Honor class. The ceremony recognized the accomplishments of former Bulls general manager Jerry Kraus, who passed away in 2017. Unfortunately, some fans disgraced the occasion by booing, leading to Kraus's widow becoming emotional. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who played for the Bulls and won three championships with them, condemned the behavior, describing it as 'shameful' and expressing his empathy for the Kraus family.
As sports fans discuss these events, it remains to be seen whether the new head coach at Alabama can live up to the expectations set by his predecessor, how the NFL playoff games will unfold in challenging weather conditions, and whether the actions of disrespectful fans during the Bulls game will spark a larger conversation about fan behavior.
