Kirk Herbstreit had a clear message for anyone who keeps doubting Bama HC Kalen DeBoer

There was immediately doubt in the Alabama Crimson Tide after starting the 2025 college football season with a loss to a then-unranked Florida State, and while many especially started to count out head coach Kalen DoBoer, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit was apparently never one of those skeptics.

Herbstreit praised DoBoer's ability as a head coach as the time winded down during the No. 17 Crimson Tide's 24-21 win against No. 5 Georgia on the road in Athens. Herbstreit has had the privilege of covering DoBoer since long before he was leading the Crimson Tide, and even though the upset shocked college football fans everywhere, Herbstreit didn't seem surprised at all that DoBoer led his team to such a massive victory because of his track record.

Herbstreit says wins vs. Georgia is what's expected from DeBoer

"If you're an Alabama fan and you've kinda been one foot in, one foot out on Kalen DeBoer, this is what Kalen DeBoer is," Herbstreit said. "This kind of creativity offensively. Toughness. Ability to battle back. This is what he's done everywhere he's been as a head coach.

"This Alabama team was backed into a corner after a Week 1 loss. They clearly have come together, and they have come out swinging. That's been on display here tonight in Athens.

Just five years ago, DeBoer was leading Fresno State, and in his second season there, the Bulldogs took down then-No. 13 UCLA for the second-highest ranked win in Fresno State history. He then went to Washington, and by his second season there, DeBoer had the Huskies in the National Championship Game.

Now in his second season at Alabama, even after a disappointing Week 1 loss, DeBoer showed Saturday night in Athens that he's likely on the same trajectory he's also been at this point in his career.