If an Auburn legend can get on board with what Kalen DeBoer is doing at Alabama, why can’t you?
Even Charles Barkley is a believer in what Kalen DeBoer is doing at Alabama
If an Auburn legend can get on board with what Kalen DeBoer is doing at Alabama, why can’t you?
Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Most Alabama fans will publicly admit to liking Charles Barkley, despite the fact that he played basketball at Auburn. The NBA Hall of Famer has gone on to a legendary broadcasting career with TNT. He is outspoken, boisterous, and downright hilarious. Even though he went to the wrong school, the Leeds, Alabama native is impossible to dislike.
Barkley was recently back in Alabama for the Regions Tradition Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Barkley crossed paths with Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer, and couldn’t help but be complimentary of the 2nd-year coach
Barkley can’t help himself with complimenting Alabama football. He has had nothing but nice things to say about Nick Saban in the past, too.
It’s hard not to be effusive with praise for the program, regardless of where you went to school. Alabama has been the most dominant force in the history of college football since the Saban era got started in 2007. The Tide has also won five consecutive Iron Bowls over Barkley’s Tigers.
Kalen DeBoer continues to make believers out of people. Next is his own fanbase
Count Barkley in as a believer in DeBoer. You can count Paul Finebaum, too, who has sung DeBoer’s praises this offseason with how DeBoer navigated the portal and the expectations for the Crimson Tide in 2025.
DeBoer has made believers out of a lot of people on the outside of the program. He clearly has the buy-in with his team this season. He has the full faith and confidence of Greg Byrne. But he still has to make believers out of the majority of the Alabama fanbase.
Last season left a sour taste in the mouths of Crimson Tide fans. The 9-4 mark had fans questioning whether DeBoer was the right fit in Tuscaloosa. No amount of good offseason press and recruiting success is going to change that, either. The only thing that can is on-field results. DeBoer has to produce in 2025 to win over the fanbase.
Expectations are always sky high for Alabama football. That’s something DeBoer knew when he took this job. He welcomed the challenge. Though I’m not sure it’s something you can fully understand until you are submerged in it. He is now. He heard the criticism all of last season and how some fans were already calling for his job for daring to lose four games.
2025 is a big year for him. He’s not on the hot seat. He likely won’t be, either, unless the season turns disastrous. But he’s still got a large chunk of the fanbase to win over. He has the team to do it this year.
