Being the man who follows the man is never easy, and Kalen DeBoer is learning that the hard way. Taking over at Alabama after Nick Saban, the undisputed G.O.A.T. of college football, isn’t just a challenge—it’s like stepping onto the biggest stage in sports with the spotlight burning a hole in your back. Every decision, every loss, and every hiccup is magnified, analyzed, and, in DeBoer’s case, harshly judged.
Alabama fans demand perfection. They don’t want to hear about transition years or rebuilding phases. The Crimson Tide have been wired for dominance for nearly two decades, and patience isn’t exactly part of the playbook in Tuscaloosa. So when DeBoer’s first season ended in disappointment—with a 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl and an uncharacteristic four losses overall—the backlash was swift and unforgiving.
But here’s the kicker—DeBoer is being held to a completely different standard than other top coaches who also took over legendary programs. And now, insiders are exposing the hypocrisy that has surrounded his debut season.
Why Is DeBoer Getting the Short End of the Stick?
From the moment he arrived in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer has faced an uphill battle. Sure, he made some questionable calls and could have managed certain games better, but the expectations placed upon him were simply unrealistic. Alabama fans weren’t just hoping for success—they were demanding instant perfection.
Meanwhile, other elite head coaches were given grace when stepping into massive roles. An Alabama insider on Crimson Tide Football Report Chat Sports called out the double standard loud and clear:
“Nobody made these snarky-a** comments when Kirby Smart went 8-5 in his first year at Georgia, and nobody made these comments about Steve Sarkisian when he went 5-7 in his first season at Texas.”
And that’s the truth.
Kirby Smart: The Slow Start That Nobody Cared About
Let’s rewind to 2016, when Kirby Smart took over at Georgia. Like DeBoer, he was following a successful era, stepping into the shoes of Mark Richt, who had won 145 games over 15 seasons. Smart’s debut? A rocky 8-5 campaign that ended with a brutal loss to Georgia Tech.
The criticism? Minimal.
Georgia fans gave Smart time. They trusted the process, knowing he needed to establish his culture, get his recruits, and build something long-term. And guess what? It paid off.
But DeBoer? He gets no such patience in Tuscaloosa.
Steve Sarkisian: A Disaster Year That Got a Free Pass
Now, let’s talk about Steve Sarkisian’s first season at Texas (2021). He went a pathetic 5-7 and didn’t even make a bowl game—the first time Texas had missed one in four years.
The result? Some frustration, sure, but the general consensus was to give Sark time to rebuild the Longhorns in his vision. Fast forward two years, and Texas is back in the College Football Playoff.
Yet where is that same energy for Kalen DeBoer?
When Smart and Sark had rough first years, the media and fans preached patience:
✔️ “They need to get their own players.”
✔️ “The team needs time to learn the new system.”
✔️ “It’s part of the process.”
But with DeBoer? None of that logic applies. Instead, he’s been shredded for not immediately replicating Nick Saban’s dominance—an impossible task for any coach, let alone in his first season.
Did Alabama’s Own Players Hold DeBoer Back?
Now, let’s dive into an even more shocking reality—DeBoer wasn’t just battling external pressure. He also had to win over his own locker room, a task that proved far more difficult than expected.
Players Struggled to Buy In
Following Nick Saban’s exit, Alabama saw a mass exodus of players. Many entered the transfer portal, unsure about what DeBoer would bring to the table. To his credit, DeBoer managed to bring several of them back, convincing them to stay the course and believe in his leadership.
But was that belief mutual?
According to former Washington DB Dom Hampton, not really. He highlighted a key problem in Alabama’s locker room:
“It’s about buying into what the coach is speaking. That’s in every level of football. You gotta have a brotherhood or culture. If you don’t, you’re about to lose. Once sht starts getting hard, it’s over with.”*
Translation? Some players never fully accepted DeBoer. They were still clinging to Saban’s era, making it even harder for their new coach to establish his own identity.
The Jalen Milroe Factor: Did He Actually Fit DeBoer’s Offense?
Another hot topic? Quarterback Jalen Milroe.
There’s been a lot of debate over whether DeBoer ever truly meshed with Milroe’s playing style. Some critics argue that Milroe never fit DeBoer’s offensive scheme, which historically emphasizes an elite passing attack.
But let’s set the record straight—Milroe wasn’t the problem. In fact, under DeBoer, we saw some of the best football of Milroe’s career:
✔️ Explosive legs—breaking off game-changing runs
✔️ Deep-ball accuracy—showing flashes of NFL-caliber arm strength
✔️ Improved chemistry—especially with star WR Ryan Williams
Sure, things fell apart late in the season, but the idea that Milroe and DeBoer never clicked is a lazy narrative. The reality? Alabama’s entire offense struggled, and the pressure of sky-high expectations didn’t help.
What’s Next for Kalen DeBoer?
So where does this leave us? Is DeBoer doomed? Absolutely not.
Yes, he had a rough first year. Yes, four losses are unacceptable by Alabama’s standards. But the brutal reality is that DeBoer inherited one of the hardest coaching jobs in football history.
The true test will come in Year 2. With his system now in place, his staff solidified, and players finally adjusting to his leadership, DeBoer has a chance to prove his critics wrong.
But will Alabama fans and the college football world give him the same patience they gave Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkisian?
That’s the real question.
If history is any indication, the answer is no—and that’s what makes Kalen DeBoer’s challenge even greater. He’s fighting against more than just Xs and Os—he’s battling a system that never gave him a fair shot from the start.
And if he succeeds? It will be one of the greatest coaching triumphs in college football history.
So buckle up, Crimson Tide fans—because Kalen DeBoer’s redemption story is just getting started.
