In one of the most shocking twists in Alabama football history, Kalen DeBoer, the offensive coordinator hired with much fanfare, is expected to be fired by the Crimson Tide in 2025. It was supposed to be a match made in heaven—DeBoer, known for his brilliant offensive mind and ability to turn struggling teams into offensive juggernauts, was brought in to revitalize an Alabama offense that had long been a secondary concern behind Nick Saban’s defensive powerhouse. But just two years later, the relationship has spiraled into one of the most unexpected failures in college football.
When DeBoer was appointed in 2023, the hype surrounding his arrival was palpable. His success at Fresno State had earned him the reputation of an offensive genius, someone who could modernize the Tide’s attack and finally bring Alabama’s offense in line with the high-scoring juggernauts of the 21st century. His ability to create balanced, dynamic offenses was seen as exactly what Alabama needed to secure another national championship and possibly set the foundation for Saban’s final years. Fans and analysts alike were eagerly waiting to see how he would work with Alabama’s stellar recruiting class and legendary athletes.
But now, just a couple of seasons in, DeBoer’s tenure at Alabama is in freefall. The first cracks appeared in 2024 when the team’s offense struggled to find consistency, especially in key games against SEC powerhouses. Despite having elite players like quarterback Bryce Young (who many thought would thrive in DeBoer’s system), the offense sputtered. The passing game, once feared for its precision and speed, faltered under the weight of too many turnovers and poor execution. The running game, typically Alabama’s bread and butter, failed to maintain the dominance it once enjoyed.
Tensions began to rise, and as the losses mounted, whispers of frustration from within the program grew louder. Players began to question the offensive system, and their dissatisfaction seeped into the media. The offensive playcalling became predictable, often abandoning the ground-and-pound strategy that had been Alabama’s calling card for decades. The balance between running and passing seemed out of sync, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads. Saban, a coach known for his precision and discipline, wasn’t having it.
Behind the scenes, things weren’t much better. Saban’s famously intense leadership style clashed with DeBoer’s more laid-back approach. While Saban demanded an all-encompassing commitment to his philosophy of discipline and defensive prowess, DeBoer had struggled to fully integrate into the Alabama culture. His attempts to modernize the offense felt out of step with the team’s established identity, and his lack of alignment with Saban’s vision became an increasingly obvious problem.
By 2025, the pressure on both DeBoer and the Alabama program reached a boiling point. The Tide, typically a national contender, were out of the College Football Playoff picture early in the season. Fans began to turn on DeBoer, questioning his ability to get the most out of the talent on the roster. Rumors of a rift between DeBoer and Saban only intensified as the losses piled up. Saban, never one to tolerate mediocrity for long, was said to be deeply frustrated with DeBoer’s inability to execute his vision.
In a shocking move, it was announced that DeBoer would be fired before the conclusion of the 2025 season. The decision sent shockwaves through the college football world. Just two years earlier, DeBoer was hailed as the future of Alabama’s offense, and now he was gone, a casualty of the unforgiving expectations that come with coaching at a program like Alabama.
