Alabama football experienced an abysmal end to Kalen DeBoer’s first season, but players expressed optimism for the future under the coach.

The Crimson Tide dropped a 19-13 loss to an opt-out laden Michigan team Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium in the ReliaQuest Bowl. As a result, Alabama finished the season 9-4, the first non-10 win season since 2007. But sunny skies await the Crimson Tide, if you ask players.

“I know the future under Coach DeBoer is very bright,” captain Tyler Booker said. “Just people getting to know him and him getting to know us. Also getting to coach in the SEC. There’s a difference between SEC ball and going out there and wearing that script A on your chest. You’re everybody’s Super Bowl. You’re not going to learn what that means until you’re actually in it. The future is very bright.”

Quarterback Jalen Milroe echoed that optimistic outlook, describing a “bright future ahead.”

“Because people understand what needs to be done to be the best version of (themselves),” Milroe said. “The standard that is set. And we have a lot of great dudes in the locker room that are hungry that want to get better and looking to uphold the standard. We also have guys in the building that have won national championships. We have guys that were under (Nick) Saban, so they understand the standard.”