“Why Alabama Fans Might Be Wary of Head Coach Kalen DeBoer” Proven sustained success does not happen over night
The Alabama Crimson Tide are currently 2-0 under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, who stepped into the role after Nick Saban’s 17-year tenure came to an end with his retirement following the 2023 season. Saban, with his six national championships and nine SEC titles, is widely regarded as the greatest college football coach ever.
Stepping into those shoes is a formidable challenge for anyone. Although DeBoer achieved notable success with the University of Washington, leading them to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2023, and boasts an impressive 106-12 career record as a head coach, expectations in Tuscaloosa are high.
While DeBoer’s accomplishments and the strong foundation he inherits at Alabama are promising, assuming a seamless continuation of Saban’s dynasty may be premature. Even if DeBoer secures a National Championship in the coming seasons, there are several reasons why Alabama fans should remain cautious about their long-term prospects.
Two Reasons Alabama Fans Shouldn’t Fully Buy Into Kalen DeBoer Yet
- Program Transition Takes Time
In 2024, Kalen DeBoer takes over a roster rich with talent inherited from the Saban era. This talent will linger in Tuscaloosa for a few seasons before it completely phases out. The real challenge will be whether DeBoer can continue to succeed once this roster is no longer dominated by Saban’s recruits.
Larry Coker at Miami: Coker is a notable example of a coach who inherited a successful program and won a National Championship in 2001 with players recruited by his predecessor, Butch Davis. However, despite this initial success, the program declined sharply under Coker, ending with a disappointing 7-6 record in 2006 and his subsequent firing. Miami has only had one 10-win season since then (2017).
Will Muschamp at Florida: Muschamp followed Urban Meyer, who led the Gators to two national championships in 2006 and 2008. Muschamp’s first season in 2011 was a mediocre 7-6, and despite a promising 11-2 season in 2012, he went 10-13 over the next two years, leading to his dismissal.
- Sustaining Successful Recruiting
DeBoer has managed to secure the second-best recruiting class in the country for 2025, according to On3. While this is a positive sign, much of this success is due to the legacy and brand established by Saban over his 17 years. The true test for DeBoer will be maintaining high-level recruiting in the future.
One challenge DeBoer faces is the lack of in-state talent from Alabama, with many top recruits committing to rival Auburn. Saban excelled at keeping local talent within the state, a factor that significantly contributed to his success. DeBoer’s approach has been more national, with his top 11 commitments for 2025 not coming from Alabama. In contrast, Auburn is making significant inroads within the state, with seven of their top eight commitments for the 2025 class hailing from Alabama.
Time Will Tell for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide
While immediate results are tempting to evaluate, college football requires time to assess a coach’s success. DeBoer’s proven track record of winning and developing talent is promising, but whether he can translate this success to the SEC remains to be seen. If he can maintain his ability to develop talent effectively, the program might thrive regardless of recruiting stars or local ties. However, this will be a long-term process, and only time will reveal the outcome.