When Kalen DeBoer walked into the Reese’s Senior Bowl practice, flanked by a sea of reporters, he carried himself like a man unfazed by the storm raging around him. But make no mistake—chaos has arrived in Tuscaloosa, and DeBoer is at the epicenter of it.
Stepping into the void left by Nick Saban’s legendary reign is a challenge of biblical proportions, but DeBoer isn’t just dealing with the weight of expectations. He’s fighting to keep Alabama from unraveling entirely.
Alabama’s Stunning Roster Purge: 41 Players Gone!
The Crimson Tide didn’t just lose players this offseason—they were gutted.
- 41 players gone in a single offseason
- 25 hit the transfer portal
- 13 graduated
- 3 declared for the NFL Draft
Among them? Some of Alabama’s most vital pieces, including star quarterback Jalen Milroe and defensive force Jihaad Campbell. This isn’t just a roster turnover—it’s a full-scale talent exodus.
Yes, Alabama has always sent players to the NFL in droves, but this level of attrition is next-level brutal. And unlike previous years, there’s no Nick Saban to steady the ship. Instead, it’s Kalen DeBoer’s problem now—and he’s got no time to ease into it.
Damage Control Mode: DeBoer Calls for Backup
So how does DeBoer prevent Alabama’s dynasty from crumbling on his watch?
Simple: He calls in reinforcements.
DeBoer isn’t wasting time—he’s bringing in trusted allies and NFL-caliber minds to keep the machine running. His latest move? Hiring Jason Jones as Alabama’s new assistant defensive backs coach.
Jason Jones: A Familiar Face With Deep Ties
If there’s one thing Alabama fans can rally around, it’s keeping things in the family. And Jason Jones? He’s crimson through and through.
A former Alabama player (1996-2000), Jones understands the expectations, the culture, the relentless standard of excellence. But it’s not just his pedigree that makes him a valuable addition—it’s his deep connections in the coaching world.
Even DeBoer was caught off guard by just how plugged-in Jones is. “It actually kind of surprised me when I brought his name up to the coaching staff. I did not realize how many connections [he had]… the same things kept coming out about who he is as a person, how great he is at recruiting… the Xs and Os.”
Translation: Jones isn’t just a familiar name—he’s a key bridge between the Saban era and what DeBoer is trying to build.
Could Ryan Grubb Make a Shock Return?
But Jones might not be the only major coaching move.
All eyes are on Ryan Grubb, DeBoer’s former offensive coordinator at Washington. Grubb was expected to follow DeBoer to Alabama, but instead, he took a detour—straight to the NFL as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator.
That stint? It lasted one year.
Now, with Grubb out of a job, speculation is running wild—will he reunite with DeBoer and take over Alabama’s offense?
DeBoer isn’t closing any doors.
“We go way back,” he admitted. “Great friend of mine. I think the world of him as a football coach, obviously as a person too… I am here for him whenever he needs me.”
If Grubb returns, Alabama’s offense could instantly regain stability and explosiveness. His time at Washington proved he could craft one of the most lethal attacks in college football. And with Alabama still adjusting to DeBoer’s system, having a familiar mastermind running the show could be exactly what the Tide need.
DeBoer’s Fight to Keep Alabama an NFL Pipeline
Beyond coaching moves, DeBoer knows what keeps Alabama elite—its pipeline to the pros.
Nick Saban didn’t just win championships—he turned Alabama into an NFL factory. His ability to develop talent and send players to the league was one of the program’s biggest recruiting tools. DeBoer knows he must maintain that legacy—or risk Alabama losing its shine.
That’s why he made sure to be front and center at the Senior Bowl, mingling with NFL scouts and reaffirming Alabama’s dominance as the best launching pad for pro careers.
The message is clear: The NFL doesn’t stop coming to Alabama just because Saban is gone.
The Transfer Portal Problem—And DeBoer’s Bold Proposal to Fix It
Roster management has become a 24/7 nightmare for college coaches, thanks to the transfer portal’s chaotic schedule.
DeBoer? He’s had enough.
Speaking at the Senior Bowl, he threw his full support behind a new proposal aimed at shrinking the transfer window and bringing much-needed stability to rosters.
Right now, the system is a circus:
- A December transfer window that disrupts bowl game prep
- A spring transfer window that keeps coaches in limbo year-round
DeBoer’s solution? Kill the spring window and shrink the winter window to 10 days.
“I think a smaller window and one window would certainly be ideal,” he said. “It’s about having a better understanding of your roster… Less gray area, less confusion—for us and our players—on what’s ahead.”
In other words? Less chaos. More clarity. More control.
Can DeBoer Keep Alabama From Cracking?
Let’s call it what it is: This is the biggest challenge Alabama football has faced in decades.
- 41 players gone
- Key coaches missing
- A completely new system being installed
- The pressure of following Nick Saban’s legendary dynasty
DeBoer doesn’t have the luxury of a slow rebuild—he’s expected to win NOW.
His first moves—bringing in Jones, keeping the door open for Grubb, reinforcing Alabama’s NFL ties—are all calculated plays to stop the bleeding.
But is it enough?
The 2025 season will tell the story. Either DeBoer proves he’s the right man to carry Alabama forward, or the program descends into post-Saban uncertainty.
One thing is for sure—there’s no time for growing pains.
Alabama expects dominance. Anything less? Unacceptable.
