Kalen DeBoer is now entering his third season as Alabama Crimson Tide head coach, and after earning himself a contract extension after 2025, the stakes have never been higher.
DeBoer has gone 20-8 over his first couple of years at Alabama, and last season, he guided the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff appearance. But, Alabama was hammered by Indiana in the Rose Bowl, and just making the CFP is not enough in Tuscaloosa.
Surely, DeBoer understands that, especially considering he just succeeded the legendary Nick Saban, who won six national championships during his time at ‘Bama.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum made clear during SEC Media Days what he believes separates successful Alabama head coaches from those who do not last at Alabama, and he doesn’t seem entirely bullish on DeBoer.
Speaking about DeBoer, the long-time radio host stated that winning a national championship is non-negotiable at the program and that DeBoer must openly declare that goal.
“You do not survive at Alabama unless you win a title,” Finebaum said. “He doesn’t have to do anything crazy but he does need to say, ‘We’re going to win a national championship.’”
That’s certainly a daring ask of DeBoer, who has never been as stern as Saban and simply does not come with the cachet of a Bear Bryant.
DeBoer did lead Washington to a National Championship Game appearance in 2023, the year before he took the head-coaching job at Alabama. But he has yet to win a title, and he only has six years of head-coaching experience overall.
The 51-year-old began his head-coaching career at Fresno State in 2020 and spent parts of two seasons with the Bulldogs before heading to Washington in 2022.
In two seasons with the Huskies, DeBoer went a very impressive 25-3, building his resume before taking the jump to the Crimson Tide.
Of course, DeBoer still has a whole lot to prove, and Alabama fans aren’t exactly patient. The Tide faithful would probably appreciate DeBoer showing some bravado and guaranteeing a national title, but then what if he doesn’t deliver?
It’s a strong demand from Finebaum, and it’s one that the generally reserved DeBoer will probably avoid.
