Patience is a virtue. Alabama fans could need to have that in droves when it comes to their polarizing head coach Kalen DeBoer. While some national pundits are higher on the Crimson Tide head coach than others, he is widely viewed as a top-10 head coach in college football. He could be as high as No. 6 in some people's eyes, while others may not view him as even a top-15 head coach in the sport.
Here is how 10 ESPN writers of note ranked the 10 best head coaches in college football today.
- No. 1: Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti
- No. 2: Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart
- No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day
- No. 4: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman
- No. 5: Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning
- No. 6: Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian
- No. 7: LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin
- No. 8: Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko
- No. 9: Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham
- No. 10 (tie): Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal
- No. 10 (tie): Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer
As you can see, DeBoer is tied for 10th place with Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal.
While sifting through this list is certainly interesting, what Heather Dinich had to say is even more.
Dinich explained why she had DeBoer at No. 6, but would not commit to Alabama having a great year.
"No, it means I believe he has been able to win at every stop with fewer resources and less talent -- and it's only a matter of time before he gets the Tide back," Dinich wrote. "DeBoer enters the season with 20 wins against Top 25 teams since 2021, the second most among active head coaches. Bama fans don't have patience, but that's what it's going to take, along with an understanding that the days of Nick Saban-esque dynasties are probably over. DeBoer is a proven winner, but taking over for Saban was a lose-lose situation for anyone. Give him a minute."
There is a lot to unpack here, so let's try our best with everything Dinich had to say about DeBoer's situation here at Alabama. While he does win pretty much everywhere with far fewer resources, Alabama is not a pauper. It is an undisputed top-four program in the history of the sport. It may have NIL challenges presently, but that all could be fixed with the right set of boosters running a collective.
DeBoer does get results, but he does not really stick anywhere for very long, which is a major issue.
Alabama fans will not want to hear about being patient with Kalen DeBoer
Yes, replacing a legend is never easy, but this is what DeBoer signed up for. He was Greg Byrne's guy every step of the way. Alabama could have courted any number of suitors, and it chose the former Washington and Fresno State head coach. DeBoer did great things at both of those stops, as well as at Sioux Falls way back in the day, and running Indiana's offense. But he never unpacks his suitcase...
While he is not a job-hopper to the degree Jon Sumrall, Todd Monken, and Charles Huff are, he has not been anywhere for more than four years in nearly two decades. This will be year three for DeBoer at Alabama. He spent a grand total of two years at Washington leading U-Dub, as well as two years leading the Bulldogs in Fresno. His Indiana offensive coordinator tenure was that of a college season.
Although he has been a play-caller for the better part of this century, the last time DeBoer saw an entire class make its way through a program was during his Sioux Falls days. He was the head coach there from 2005 to 2009, as well as being their offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2004. Simply, what in recent history have we seen that shows DeBoer is a man of loyalty deserving so much patience?
This article is not meant to tear this gifted, offensive-minded coach apart, but rather just state the facts. Year three for him at Alabama is a lot more critical for DeBoer than maybe he even realizes. If it hits the fan, he could exit stage right. Because he is viewed as a top-10 head coach, he can find work beyond that of Alabama if he really wants to. Does he really want to coach out his 50s in Tuscaloosa?
ALSO READ: 5 inexcusable losses Kalen DeBoer cannot afford to suffer during third Alabama season
Overall, DeBoer is a proven winner. He beats top-25 teams on the regular, having led two different Power Five schools to playoff victories over the last three years. DeBoer has a knack for developing quarterbacks, but cannot exactly design a running game. In short, he is a head coach you can believe in, but one that will also drive you crazy. How much are Alabama fans willing to stomach his madness?
Ultimately, DeBoer being compared to Saban is not fair, but it is the nature of his reality. It took Saban three years to win a national title at Alabama. He won five more in Tuscaloosa after that. For DeBoer to carve out his own legacy at Alabama, he really just needs to win one. Gene Stallings is revered for his one title. Maybe that is DeBoer's lot in life? Conversely, will he prove to have any staying power?
Alabama fans do not need to be patient with DeBoer because he has never been patient as a coach.
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