Alabama needs a rapid reversal of fortunes. Crimson Tide fans doubt the coaching staff is up to the task. Finding fault has little value unless followed by accountability. To whatever extent some players have failed, accountability must go to the coaches. And whichever coaches deserve blame, everything falls on Kalen DeBoer.
Al.com's Matt Stahl offered a perfect one-word description of what Alabama was against Tennessee: "punchless." Alabama was a wounded team against the Vols, but the Crimson Tide had plenty of healthy players to put up a good fight. It wasn't that Alabama players didn't try hard enough. What Alabama lacked was the coaching necessary to give the players a chance to win.
There are few sound reasons to believe the same thing won't happen against LSU.
I have long disagreed with Alabama fans who have not been sold on DeBoer, Grubb, and Wommack. I had doubts about DeBoer; I also knew that following Nick Saban was an almost guaranteed no-win situation. So I believed he needed time to prove himself. This season is enough time.
During moments in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, I have been impressed by Ryan Grubb. I've discarded those impressions. Alabama's offense was pitiful against Tennessee. Grubb wasn't just outcoached by Jim Knowles. Knowles owned him throughout the game.
Alabama's deficiencies were glaringly obvious. The Tide offensive line got no consistent push. Keelon held the ball too long, causing leaky pass protection break down. Third-down passes were thrown and caught short of first down lines. In general, the Alabama offense appeared clueless.
Alabama Taking Responsibility
Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and Adrian Klemm are negligent parties. Perhaps they don't share equal blame. But in aggregate, all the blame goes to DeBoer.
Cherry-picking stats and drawing conclusions from them is often flawed. But there's one Alabama stat that demands consideration. In its seven games, the Crimson Tide has allowed 21 sacks. That's tied for No. 131 among 138 FBS teams. Don't blame the players; blame the coaches.
No positive change will occur unless the Tide's trio of DeBoer, Grubb, and Klemm take responsibility for their failings and adapt. And it is already past time to do so.
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