It might seem obvious, but Kalen DeBoer admitting that Alabama fell short of expectations in his first season on the job is a positive step forward in his understanding of his role. Expectations are always through the roof in Tuscaloosa for the football program, regardless of any extenuating circumstances that might otherwise dictate patience.
The 2024 season was a disappointment. Missing the inaugural 12-team playoff was a gut-punch, and Alabama seemed vulnerable for the first time in 17 years. The sharks are circling, and DeBoer's second season at Alabama is pivotal for him and for the direction of the program. It all starts with admitting things didn't go as planned the previous year.
At SEC Media Days on Wednesday, DeBoer was asked if his first season lived up to the Alabama standard:
"If you internally ask us, no. We fell short of making the playoffs. It's as simple as that," DeBoer said.
At Alabama, it's at least College Football Playoff or bust
One could argue that expectations are so high following Nick Saban's dominant run at Alabama that Crimson Tide fans really consider anything short of a National Championship a disappointing season. It certainly felt like that in the last few years of Saban's tenure. Because Alabama won so much, finishing as the runner-up in 2021 and losing in the semifinals in 2023 felt like failure.
DeBoer probably won't have to operate under the same set of expectations as Saban, but I feel confident in saying that most fans would view anything short of the College Football Playoff as a failure. Especially if that happened two seasons in a row.
There's a lot of pressure on DeBoer to have a great team in 2025. Everything is in place for Alabama to reach that level. They are more experienced and arguably more talented this season than last. Continuity on the coaching staff is a big deal, too, and not something any of the players who didn't transfer with DeBoer from Washington have ever felt.
Coaching turnover was a major issue for Saban during the latter stages of his tenure. DeBoer added Ryan Grubb at OC, but for the most part, this is the same coaching staff from last season.
DeBoer has Alabama on the right path, but that won't matter once the games start if the results don't follow. Making the College Football Playoff this season is a must, or the pressure will be enormous as DeBoer enters year three in 2026.