How Kalen DeBoer’s initial impression of Alabama football holds up as the season progresses

Kalen DeBoer, the head coach of the University of Washington football program, has quickly made a name for himself in the college football world with his innovative offensive strategies, strong leadership, and ability to turn around programs. As the 2024 season progresses, many have been eager to see how DeBoer’s initial impressions of top-tier programs, like Alabama, would hold up against the backdrop of real-time action. Alabama football, under the leadership of Nick Saban, is one of the most storied programs in college football, known for its championship pedigree, intense competitiveness, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. DeBoer, known for his work with other programs such as Fresno State and Washington, had been closely monitoring Alabama’s development, particularly their offensive evolution, under Saban’s watchful eye.

When DeBoer first took the job at Washington, he expressed an admiration for Alabama football, particularly the program’s ability to consistently reload talent and maintain its status as a national powerhouse. However, given the constantly changing dynamics of college football—especially with the advent of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era and the impact of the transfer portal—the question remained: how would DeBoer’s initial views hold up as the season progressed, especially in the context of the constantly evolving competition from Alabama?

This article takes a deeper dive into Kalen DeBoer’s first impressions of Alabama football and evaluates how those views stood the test of time and performance as the 2024 season unfolded. From DeBoer’s strategic philosophy to his analysis of Alabama’s strengths and weaknesses, we’ll break down how his early expectations held up as the season progressed and whether Alabama lived up to the hype in his eyes.

1. Kalen DeBoer’s Initial Impression of Alabama Football

When Kalen DeBoer was first asked about Alabama football, he was complimentary but also measured in his assessment. Known for his high-powered offenses and offensive ingenuity, DeBoer recognized the dominance of Alabama’s defense, the program’s top-tier recruiting, and its long-standing success under Nick Saban. However, DeBoer was quick to mention that Alabama was at a crossroads, particularly with regards to their offensive scheme and how it would evolve in the post-Bryce Young era.

DeBoer, who has built his coaching career around offense and quarterback development, acknowledged that Alabama was historically a team built on a strong defense, a powerful running game, and efficient quarterback play. But with the changing landscape of college football, particularly the rise of dynamic offenses at teams like Oklahoma, Ohio State, and LSU, DeBoer wondered whether Alabama could evolve in the same way and adopt a more pass-heavy, up-tempo attack while still maintaining its defensive dominance.

One of DeBoer’s early impressions was that Alabama was a program that could dominate in all phases of the game, but that it needed to develop a more dynamic and flexible offense to stay ahead of the curve. The stability of the defense, spearheaded by Nick Saban’s commitment to a physical, hard-nosed style of play, was something DeBoer admired. But he was less certain about how quickly the offensive side of the ball would adapt to the changes in college football.

2. The Offensive Evolution Under Bill O’Brien and the QB Development

One of the most crucial aspects that DeBoer focused on during the initial evaluation of Alabama football was their quarterback play and the development of their offensive system. With the departure of Bryce Young, a consensus No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, Alabama faced the task of replacing one of the most talented quarterbacks in recent history. Alabama hired former NFL offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to guide the offense, and it was clear that the program needed to shift from a run-first identity to one that could successfully balance a modern passing game with traditional power running.

DeBoer, who thrives in developing quarterbacks and orchestrating explosive offenses, was keenly interested in how Alabama would transition from Young’s dynamic skill set to a more traditional approach or one that could mirror some of the offensive schemes that DeBoer himself has utilized at Washington. He wondered whether Alabama could continue to produce elite quarterbacks who could execute at the highest level while adjusting to new-age offenses.

As the 2024 season progressed, it became clear that Alabama was facing growing pains on offense. Jalen Milroe, the sophomore quarterback, struggled at times with consistency in the passing game but showed flashes of brilliance with his legs. This development didn’t immediately align with the dynamic, pass-heavy offenses DeBoer was familiar with, as Alabama still leaned heavily on its ground game and a balanced attack that relied more on power football than quick-strike passing plays.

DeBoer, watching closely from afar, likely had his concerns about Alabama’s ability to break free from its traditional mold and embrace a faster-paced, pass-centric attack. While Milroe showed signs of improvement over time, there was a noticeable gap between the elite quarterbacks in college football and Alabama’s play at the position.

3. The Development of Alabama’s Defense: Strengths and Weaknesses

Kalen DeBoer also acknowledged Alabama’s historical defensive dominance as one of the program’s pillars. The Crimson Tide, under Nick Saban’s guidance, consistently produced top-tier defenses that stifled offenses with their speed, power, and discipline. Alabama’s defensive success, coupled with their offensive prowess, had long been a recipe for championship runs, and DeBoer had to respect the legacy of Alabama’s defense.

However, DeBoer’s observations of Alabama’s defense as the 2024 season progressed revealed an interesting trend. While the defense remained solid, with standout players like Dallas Turner and Kool-Aid McKinstry continuing to shine in their respective roles, there were signs of vulnerability, especially in the secondary. The Crimson Tide struggled to keep up with high-powered offenses that spread the field and forced Alabama to cover more ground than ever before.

DeBoer, having a background in offensive football, understood that while Alabama’s defense was still formidable, there was room for improvement. The secondary, in particular, appeared susceptible to big plays, especially against elite passing offenses in the SEC. As Alabama faced some of its most potent conference rivals, such as LSU and Tennessee, the defense was tested, revealing cracks in coverage and tackling that could be exploited in high-stakes matchups.

Despite these challenges, DeBoer could likely appreciate the potential for Alabama’s defense to recalibrate and adjust. Saban, known for his defensive brilliance, would undoubtedly work with his staff to correct these deficiencies as the season progressed. Still, DeBoer’s initial assessment that Alabama’s defense might have more room to evolve, especially in a modern college football landscape dominated by fast-paced, spread offenses, seemed to be holding true.

4. The Role of Recruiting and NIL in Alabama’s Future

Another crucial factor DeBoer would have considered in his initial evaluation of Alabama football is the program’s ability to recruit top-tier talent year after year. Alabama’s recruiting prowess is unmatched, and the Crimson Tide consistently bring in some of the nation’s best high school prospects. With the advent of NIL and the transfer portal, Alabama, like many other programs, had to adapt to the changing landscape of college football recruiting.

DeBoer likely saw Alabama’s continued success in the recruiting world as one of the key elements in their ability to remain competitive. Despite the challenges posed by the new NIL era, Alabama’s reputation for producing NFL talent and competing for championships made them a top destination for high school recruits. DeBoer, who has also had success in recruiting elite talent to Washington, understood the importance of keeping up with the changing dynamics in the recruiting world.

As the season progressed, it became clear that Alabama’s recruiting efforts were continuing to pay off, even in a more competitive and fluid recruiting landscape. The Crimson Tide were able to reload with top-tier players across all positions, which allowed the program to stay competitive in a high-pressure SEC environment. DeBoer, who had seen firsthand how crucial recruiting success is to a program’s future, would likely have respected Alabama’s ability to maintain its standing as one of the nation’s top programs.

5. DeBoer’s Evolving View of Alabama Football as the 2024 Season Unfolded

As the 2024 season progressed, Kalen DeBoer’s initial impressions of Alabama football began to be tested by reality. While he had admired the program’s recruiting success, defensive dominance, and ability to reload with talent, he also saw the team struggle to evolve offensively in the post-Bryce Young era. Alabama’s offensive inconsistencies, especially at quarterback, were evident and raised questions about the program’s ability to stay competitive with the more dynamic, pass-heavy teams in the SEC.

However, DeBoer would also have seen signs of growth and adaptation. Jalen Milroe, while still a work in progress, showed potential as both a passer and a dual-threat quarterback. Alabama’s defense, despite its flaws, remained one of the most formidable in the country, and the program continued to recruit at an elite level. By midseason, it was clear that Nick Saban’s ability to adapt and evolve, particularly on defense, would keep Alabama in the national conversation for years to come.

Ultimately, DeBoer’s initial impression of Alabama as a program at a crossroads offensively held up in some ways, but Alabama’s resilience and Saban’s ability to adjust to changing trends in college football demonstrated that the Crimson Tide were still a program to be reckoned with. While they weren’t yet playing the dynamic, pass-heavy offense that DeBoer may have expected, their commitment to physicality, elite defense, and recruiting excellence meant that they would continue to challenge for national championships in the years to come.