Casagrande: Alabama's Kalen DeBoer not emotional enough? The suspension question fixed the problem

This is an opinion column.

The Alabama football program is just days behind Vanderbilt (AV) and the aftershocks are still raging in Tuscaloosa.

The questions are legitimate.

Kalen DeBoer and his team of first-graders plow new snow as they navigate the rubble of a loss few could have imagined. He has the fashion police writing T-shirt tickets in addition to legitimate complaints about game plans and adjustments to Vanderbilt's dynamic offense.

But Monday's conversation was also about emotions.

Too much.

And not enough.

We hit the full spectrum with a discussion from fifth-year captain Malachi Moore late in the game (for which he publicly apologized) to DeBoer's Saban-style lack of anger after a stunning loss.

Five games into his tenure at Alabama, DeBoer stood at the press conference podium Monday and defended his level of frustration and the reaction Moore had to him.

RELATED: Welcome to Alabama, Kalen DeBoer. Now you're official

This moment was inevitable given DeBoer's more consistent presence (unless a referee misses a pass interference flag). The outward expression of outrage was heartbreaking for anyone who followed Nick Saban's 17 years of hiding none of his feelings in Tuscaloosa.

The same was true for Jalen Hurts, whose version of an Eli Manning face was mistaken for disinterest in difficult moments.

On Saturday, DeBoer's postgame press conference EKG wasn't much different from an average Monday lunchtime in Tuscaloosa. Not a flat line, but the line didn't dance the way many expected from his predecessor as performance and discipline waned.

The outside reaction was so concerning that DeBoer was asked Monday if he had a message for fans who wanted to see more fire Saturday night. He was noticeably surprised by the question, as he asked to repeat it.

“Oh, I’m extremely frustrated,” DeBoer said. “We all are. But we will not lose our temper over this. We understand what happened and a lot of what I see in the reaction, even in the dressing room – are you talking about the press conference afterwards or something like that? Because that’s really the only time you could have seen me, I guess.”

Once again: welcome to Alabama.

He continued that the reaction of the players he saw in the locker room between the final shot and entering the interview room contributed to his relaxed presentation.

“I also did my part to help us understand what happened and how it wasn't up to our standard and how we need to move forward,” DeBoer continued. “And yes, we were all extremely frustrated. But we won't stand idly by because I don't think that's the right path. There is a time and a place for everything.”

And it's just not DeBoer's personality to burn the earth on the microphone. To do so would be disingenuous.

That also made the next moment of the press conference on Monday remarkable.

The subsequent question about his perception of his lack of frustration related to defensive back Malachi Moore's outburst. How should Moore be held accountable for his unsportsmanlike conduct after he slammed Vanderbilt's QB's head on the turf and then refused coaches' requests to come to the sideline to cool down?

Was a ban possible?

What followed was arguably the most emotion DeBoer has shown at a podium since arriving from Washington in January. First of all: no to the suspension part. DeBoer said they dealt with it internally and that Moore “did more than just take responsibility for his actions.”

While DeBoer didn't give a Saban meter, he showed as much emotion in defending Moore's character as we could remember.

“I want to make sure the 'Bama fans' know that this guy was rock solid and – along with others – was a critical, critical piece; There are some other things too – keeping things together since January,” DeBoer said. “When a lot of people decided to leave, this guy stood his ground. This guy loves Alabama football. He works tirelessly out there on the football field every day.”

It's all of those factors and the fact that Moore isn't a hot-headed rookie who will fly off the handle at the first sign of adversity. He's a seasoned fifth-year veteran — a Saban recruit who played on the 2020 national title team that was a model of mental toughness and discipline. The Hewitt-Trussville graduate is as respected within the program as any player who has come through this building in recent years.

That's why DeBoer defended the player who had drawn legitimate criticism for losing his temper in such a public setting.

The trainer also recognized the contrast of concerns within these successive questions.

“It's the passion I hope – I mean the question was asked about me and the passion and frustration,” DeBoer said. “I mean, you saw that from him. And yes, there were some things he regretted and wished he probably hadn't done, yes. But he rose to the occasion and we handled it internally and are still dealing with it internally.”

From the outside, a ban would have been justified if you add up the factors and crimes.

But if you complained about DeBoer's passion on Saturday, his defense of why he won't serve as captain for Saturday's visit to South Carolina should at least be convincing The itching.

It was proportional. Nowhere in the Saban district, but that's a benchmark some of us need to break.

This is DeBoer's ship he must steer, and he will bear the results.

He knows this whether you see it or not.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or further Facebook.

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