“The Saban Shadow? Try DeBoer’s Dynasty.” โ Paul Finebaumโs Bold Verdict on Alabamaโs New Era
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. โ When Nick Saban officially retired in January 2024, an entire generation of college football fans wondered if Alabamaโs golden era had finally dimmed. Seven national championships. Dozens of NFL stars. The greatest dynasty in the sportโs modern history. Who could possibly carry the weight of that legacy?
Enter Kalen DeBoer.
A year and a half into his tenure as Alabama’s head coach, DeBoer is not just surviving the shadow of Sabanโheโs building a dynasty of his own. And according to ESPNโs Paul Finebaum, itโs time fans and critics alike stop looking backward.
๐ฅ โThe Saban Shadow? Try DeBoerโs Dynasty,โ Finebaum said during a fiery segment on The Paul Finebaum Show. โThis isnโt a placeholder. This isnโt a rebuild. This is the next chapter of greatnessโand Kalen DeBoer is writing it with a steel pen.โ
That bold proclamation follows Alabamaโs dominant run through the 2024 season and into the 2025 offseason, where the Crimson Tide not only reclaimed the SEC title but also signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nationโheadlined by five-star quarterback Jalen Merrick, four-star speedster Daevon Hightower, and the surprise commitment of top-ranked tight end Tyler Atkinson.
Whatโs more, Alabamaโs offense has evolved. Under DeBoerโs system, the Crimson Tide led the SEC in total offense, a blend of precision passing, punishing run schemes, and dynamic tempo rarely seen in Tuscaloosa. Quarterback Eli Holstein, once viewed as a developmental project, emerged as a breakout star, throwing for 3,800 yards and 34 touchdowns in DeBoerโs innovative spread-heavy attack.
Defensively, the Saban DNA remains. DeBoer retained key staff and blended the old-school Alabama toughness with modern versatilityโproducing a top-three national defense in points allowed and red zone efficiency.
Finebaumโs verdict didnโt come lightly. Known for his candid assessments of the SEC elite, he challenged skeptics directly.
“We spent months asking if DeBoer could live up to the Saban standard,” Finebaum said. “The better question now is: Can the rest of college football keep up with Alabama under DeBoer?”
In Tuscaloosa, the vibe has shifted from cautious optimism to roaring confidence. Spring practices drew record crowds. The Bryant-Denny weight room has been expanded to house DeBoerโs state-of-the-art performance analytics programโfueled in part by a $12.5 million donation from former Alabama star Mark Ingram II.
Players have bought in. Recruits are buying in. And the results speak louder than any preseason magazine cover. Alabama is 13โ1 under DeBoer, with a Sugar Bowl win, a Heisman finalist, and a recruiting pipeline that seems only to be heating up.
As for the “Saban Shadow”?
DeBoer himself addressed it during SEC Media Days: โCoach Saban built the greatest program in college football history. I donโt try to replace thatโI try to honor it by pushing it forward.โ
If Paul Finebaumโs words ring true, Kalen DeBoer isn’t just pushing Alabama forwardโheโs carving out a new dynasty in crimson and white. And the rest of the SEC? They’re officially on notice.
