Alabama Crimson Tide fans keep asking if Kalen DeBoer is a great coach or if he will become a great coach. For many fans, DeBoer, having taken Washington to a National Championship Game, is not proof he is a great coach.
A stronger argument for DeBoer is his career record against top coaches and ranked teams. DeBoer is a gaudy 7-1 against Kirby Smart, Steve Sarkisian, and Dan Lanning. After Alabama beat Tennessee last season, Kalen DeBoer's record against ranked teams was 19-3. Other programs, including Penn State and Michigan, were understandably impressed. Alabama football fans were hopeful but not necessarily impressed with that record. After all, in the minds of many Alabama fans, the Crimson Tide is always supposed to win against ranked or unranked teams.
The three losses to ranked teams that followed in the 2025 season (against a Playoff win over Oklahoma) took DeBoer's ranked teams' record to 20-6. Few Alabama fans remain impressed by that track record. It is not just the 1-3 finish against ranked teams that finished the 2025 season; it's that in two of the losses, Alabama was clearly outclassed.
The bad losses to Georgia and Indiana are coupled with three other bad losses in DeBoer's Alabama tenure: Florida State in 2025, plus Vanderbilt and Oklahoma in 2024.
Nick Saban had arguably only six bad losses in 17 seasons coaching Alabama Football. Three of them came in 2007 in his first Alabama season. DeBoer, reaching five bad losses in just two seasons, has caused doubt to creep into the minds of Alabama fans.
A talented Alabama Crimson Tide will need great coaching
While national media have serious questions about some of Alabama's position groups, the overall team talent is perceived as a strength. But it is a strength that needs time to develop through game experience. As reported by CBS Sports, Alabama is ranked No. 72 among FBS teams and last among SEC teams in returning experience. Measured by snaps, Alabama has players who have played a total of 19,502 snaps. Only 7,543 of those snaps are on the offensive side of the ball.
An overused phrase, unfortunately, fits the situation. The Alabama football staff will have to excel at 'coaching up' players to reach playoff-contending status by midseason. Alabama fans have doubts about Kalen DeBoer and his staff being up to the task.
Note: Kalen DeBoer record against ranked teams provided by Sports Reference
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