The winds have shifted in Tuscaloosa, and for Alabama fans, they carry an unsettling chill. The Crimson Tide, a program built on sheer dominance, stumbled into unfamiliar territory in 2024. A 9-4 record—a dream season for most programs—felt like a full-blown apocalypse for the Bama faithful. The dynasty that Nick Saban meticulously crafted over nearly two decades suddenly looked vulnerable under new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Some called it growing pains—a natural adjustment after replacing the greatest college football coach of all time. Others saw it as an ominous warning sign that Alabama’s golden age was fading. While Crimson Tide fans were licking their wounds, one man was reveling in every second of their misery—Auburn legend Charles Barkley.
Barkley, never one to miss a chance to roast his in-state rivals, took a merciless shot at Alabama fans, painting them as the most dramatic group in college football. And honestly? He might have a point.
Charles Barkley Goes All In on Alabama’s ‘Collapse’
Barkley, the 1993 NBA MVP turned iconic sports analyst, has never been shy about his anti-Bama stance. So when the Crimson Tide slipped from their usual throne of SEC dominance, he wasted no time twisting the knife. Appearing on The Next Round podcast, he delivered a masterclass in trash talk that had Auburn fans roaring with laughter.
“The good thing about [Alabama] sucking at football right now is they’re not running up in your face all the time saying, ‘Roll Tide! Roll Tide!’” Barkley mocked, dragging out the phrase like he had been waiting years for this moment.
He wasn’t done. The NBA Hall of Famer acknowledged Saban’s GOAT status, calling him the greatest college football coach of all time. But his beef wasn’t with the legendary coach—it was with the fanbase that had spent years gloating.
“They lost four games. They thought it was the apocalypse!” Barkley laughed, pointing out how quickly Bama fans spiraled into chaos.
And let’s be real—he’s not wrong. The Alabama standard isn’t just winning; it’s dominating. Anything less than a national championship is seen as a failure. So when the Tide suffered through an uncharacteristic four-loss season? Meltdown mode activated.
Reality Check: DeBoer Inherited an Impossible Job
The truth is, Kalen DeBoer stepped into a lose-lose situation. Taking over the most dominant dynasty in modern college football was always going to be a Herculean challenge. Fans expected instant results, but what they got instead was a team struggling to find its identity.
DeBoer arrived at Alabama with a reputation as an offensive mastermind, yet his first season didn’t quite deliver on that hype. The Tide’s offensive rankings? Underwhelming, to say the least.
- No. 42 in total offense
- No. 56 in passing offense
- No. 47 in rushing offense
- No. 22 in scoring offense
For a program used to ranking in the top 10 across the board, these numbers felt like a crash landing back to Earth.
But was it really DeBoer’s fault? Or was he simply handed the wrong tools for the job?
“The good thing about [Alabama] sucking at football right now is they’re not running up in your face all the time saying ‘Roll Tide! Roll Tide!’
They lost 4 games and they thought it was the damn apocalypse.” Charles Barkley 🤣 pic.twitter.com/MvD2S2Ow6m
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) February 14, 2025
DeBoer’s Biggest Challenge: A Quarterback That Didn’t Fit His System
When Jalen Milroe announced he was returning for another season, it seemed like a win for Alabama. But was it really? According to SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum, it was more of a double-edged sword.
“The good news was they inherited Jalen Milroe. The bad news was, they inherited Jalen Milroe. They were stuck with him,” Finebaum bluntly stated.
Now, let’s be clear—Milroe is a phenomenal athlete. He has a cannon for an arm and game-changing speed. But DeBoer’s offensive system? It thrives with a pocket passer.
His last quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., was an elite pure thrower who led Washington to a national championship appearance. Milroe, on the other hand, was still developing as a passer and relied heavily on his ability to extend plays with his legs.
This clash of styles led to an offense that never quite found its rhythm. And now, heading into 2025, Alabama’s quarterback situation is a massive question mark.
Can Alabama Fix Its QB Problem?
With Milroe gone to the NFL, Alabama’s quarterback room is in flux. Right now, they’ve got Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell—a group full of potential but light on experience.
But DeBoer isn’t just standing pat. He’s bringing in his right-hand man, Ryan Grubb, from the Seattle Seahawks to take over as offensive coordinator.
Will this shake things up and bring Alabama back to dominance? Or will the transition period drag on for another season?
One thing’s for sure—Charles Barkley will be watching closely, just waiting for another opportunity to take a shot at his favorite rival.
