It might be premature to say that Kalen DeBoer is on the hot seat heading into his third season as the Crimson Tide's head coach in 2026. After all, we are just a couple of months removed from reports about DeBoer and the administration working toward a contract extension.
Alabama took a step forward in DeBoer's second season, winning 11 games, playing in the SEC Championship, and making the College Football Playoff. That included a road win over Oklahoma that flipped a difficult narrative, though the season ended with a complete and total beatdown at the hands of eventual national champion Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Though the Hoosiers did the same thing to Dan Lanning and Oregon the following week, it didn't seem to make DeBoer and the Tide look better in the eyes of many.
Regardless of whether he is or isn't on the hot seat, it's clear that the 2026 season will be pivotal for his future in Tuscaloosa.
CBS's Brad Crawford recently compiled a list of 10 college football coaches facing the most pressure in 2026, and DeBoer ranked No. 8.
Crawford cites a divided fanbase, an administration wanting more buy-in, and the fact that Alabama has lost as many games (8) in two seasons under DeBoer as it did in Nick Saban's final five seasons.
In the end, Crawford believes one major factor will determine Alabama's success in 2026 - and if DeBoer will continue on for a fourth season or not.
Alabama's performance at the line of scrimmage may determine Kalen DeBoer's future
Even the most ardent DeBoer supporters would agree that Alabama hasn't been physical enough the last two seasons. That was never more evident than in mismatches against Georgia in Atlanta and again in the Rose Bowl vs. Indiana. The Bulldogs and Hoosiers manhandled the Crimson Tide at the line-of-scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Credit to DeBoer for clearly recognizing those shortcomings this offseason. Alabama brought in a lot of new faces on both the offensive and defensive lines, along with hiring a new offensive line coach in Adrian Klemm, and adding a TE coach in Richard Owens with previous experience as an OL coach in his own right.
Crawford writes that "how the Crimson Tide perform at the line of scrimmage and in the run game next season will significantly influence the national perception of his tenure."
Not just the national perception, but it will significantly influence how Alabama fans feel about him, too. Alabama was long known as one of the most physically dominant teams in the country, something that has been lost in the two seasons DeBoer has roamed the sideline.
Alabama will have to run the football better in 2026. 11 new offensive linemen and the addition of 5-star freshman EJ Crowell will have to deliver. The Crimson Tide will need to stop the run more effectively on defense, and the additions of Big Ten transfers Devan Thompkins (USC) and Terrance Green (Oregon) should go a long way in that improvement.
DeBoer's buyout is projected to be about $50 million after next season. It's a significant amount, but trending toward a more tenable figure than the last couple of seasons, assuming no contract extension is reached.
It's hard to see Alabama willingly paying that, however, unless the 2026 season goes in a direction that forces their hand.