Kalen DeBoer’s first season grade at Alabama is dreadful.

In the world of college football, few coaching changes spark as much excitement and uncertainty as the arrival of a new head coach, particularly at a program like Alabama. The Crimson Tide, under Nick Saban, had set the standard for excellence in college football for over a decade. However, after Saban’s eventual departure, Alabama turned to Kalen DeBoer, a rising star in the coaching world with an impressive track record at his previous stops. His hiring was met with a mix of anticipation and skepticism. Could DeBoer continue the Crimson Tide’s tradition of excellence? Or would the Alabama program suffer under his leadership?

As the dust settles after DeBoer’s first season, it’s clear that the results were far from the expectations set for such a high-profile program. In fact, many have been left wondering if Alabama made the right choice, as DeBoer’s debut campaign was nothing short of dreadful. From lackluster performances to a series of unforced errors, DeBoer’s first season has left a lot to be desired. While there were a few moments of promise, the overall results are a cause for concern.

In this analysis, we’ll examine Kalen DeBoer’s first season at Alabama and break down why it has been a failure by the program’s lofty standards. We’ll look at the positives, but more importantly, we’ll explore the reasons why this season has been a disappointment.

The High Expectations of Alabama Football

Alabama football is one of the most storied programs in college football history. The Crimson Tide have won multiple national championships, produced countless NFL stars, and have been a model of consistency under Nick Saban. The bar for success in Tuscaloosa is set incredibly high, and any head coach stepping into the position must not only maintain that standard but elevate it further.

When Saban announced his retirement, Alabama was tasked with finding a coach who could step into his shoes and continue the program’s dominance. Kalen DeBoer was brought in after an impressive stint at Fresno State, where he turned the program into a force in the Mountain West. With a reputation as an offensive innovator, DeBoer seemed like an ideal candidate to breathe new life into Alabama’s offense, which had been at times stale under Saban’s final years.

But the reality of coaching at Alabama is different from leading a mid-major program. The pressure to win is immense, the fanbase expects immediate results, and the level of competition in the SEC is as fierce as ever. DeBoer quickly learned that Alabama’s high standards are not just about winning games, but about doing so with style, dominance, and consistency.

Lackluster Recruiting: A Key Issue

One of the major challenges for Kalen DeBoer in his first season at Alabama has been the team’s recruiting efforts. While the Crimson Tide are still considered one of the top recruiting programs in the nation, DeBoer’s ability to bring in top-tier talent has not been on par with his predecessor’s standard.

Alabama’s success in recruiting has always been a cornerstone of the program’s dominance. Under Saban, Alabama had the luxury of signing some of the nation’s best recruits year in and year out. However, DeBoer has struggled to maintain this level of success, particularly in the trenches. Alabama’s offensive line and defensive line were areas of concern throughout the season, and the lack of elite talent at these positions has been glaring.

The issue isn’t just about DeBoer’s ability to bring in players, but rather his ability to develop the talent that’s already there. Players who were once considered elite recruits have failed to live up to their potential under DeBoer’s leadership, and this has affected the team’s performance on both sides of the ball. The lack of depth and talent in critical areas has made it difficult for Alabama to compete against other SEC powerhouses like Georgia and LSU, who have continued to recruit at a high level.

Quarterback Struggles and Offensive Inconsistency

Another significant issue in DeBoer’s first season has been the inconsistent play at quarterback. Alabama has been blessed with some of the best quarterbacks in the nation over the last decade—players like Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young—but under DeBoer, the quarterback play has been far from elite.

The team struggled to find stability under center, with multiple quarterbacks seeing significant playing time throughout the season. Tyler Buchner, who was brought in as a transfer, had an underwhelming campaign, often struggling with accuracy and decision-making. Jalen Milroe, who had flashes of potential, also failed to seize the starting role and show the consistency needed to lead Alabama to victories.

DeBoer’s offensive system, which was meant to be a breath of fresh air, has been hampered by the inability to establish a reliable quarterback. His offensive philosophy, which relies heavily on the passing game, has not been effective without the right signal-caller. And without a stable quarterback situation, the offense has been bogged down, leaving Alabama’s skill players unable to make an impact.

Additionally, DeBoer’s system has relied on a fast-paced offense that requires precision and timing. Unfortunately, Alabama’s execution has often been sloppy, with missed assignments, poor route running, and inconsistent protection from the offensive line. These struggles have led to a lack of offensive rhythm, preventing Alabama from consistently putting up points and controlling games.

Inability to Adjust to SEC Competition

One of the hallmarks of Nick Saban’s coaching career was his ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of college football. Whether it was adjusting his defensive scheme, adapting to the spread offense, or evolving his recruiting philosophy, Saban always found a way to keep Alabama at the top.

DeBoer, however, has shown little ability to adjust to the challenges of coaching in the SEC. While he had success at Fresno State with his high-powered offense, the SEC is a different animal. The level of competition, particularly in the trenches, is higher, and DeBoer’s reliance on passing-heavy schemes has been exposed as vulnerable against top-tier defenses.

In his first season, DeBoer has often been outcoached in key moments. His inability to make adjustments on both sides of the ball has led to Alabama being exposed by teams like Georgia, LSU, and even lesser opponents. Defensively, DeBoer has struggled to stop the run, and his defense has been exposed by opposing offenses that have exploited mismatches. Offensively, his playcalling has been predictable, and his inability to adjust when things aren’t working has been a major concern.

Alabama has often looked ill-prepared for crucial games, and DeBoer’s lack of adjustments during critical moments has cost the team wins. The Crimson Tide have often been outclassed in the second halves of games, unable to make the necessary adjustments to turn the tide in their favor.

Missed Opportunities and Lack of Leadership

Another troubling aspect of Kalen DeBoer’s first season has been the missed opportunities. Alabama has had several chances to prove itself against top-ranked teams, but in each of these instances, the Crimson Tide came up short. Whether it was a missed field goal in a tight game, a failed two-minute drill, or a critical turnover at the wrong time, DeBoer’s team has repeatedly failed to capitalize on big moments.

The lack of leadership on the field has been palpable. While Alabama has had some talented individual players, the team has lacked a true leader who can take charge in tough situations. DeBoer’s reliance on younger players has meant that there hasn’t been the same sense of veteran leadership that Alabama fans are accustomed to. As a result, the team has lacked the poise and mental toughness necessary to compete with the best teams in the country.

The Outlook: A Long Road Ahead

Kalen DeBoer’s first season at Alabama has been a disappointment by almost every metric. From recruiting struggles to inconsistent play on both offense and defense, DeBoer’s tenure has been far from the smooth transition that Alabama fans had hoped for. The team has shown flashes of promise, but these moments have been overshadowed by critical mistakes, lack of leadership, and missed opportunities.

While it’s still too early to say whether DeBoer can turn things around in the long term, his first season has raised serious concerns. Alabama’s fanbase, accustomed to championship-level football, has been left frustrated by the lack of progress under DeBoer. The pressure is mounting for the young coach to prove that he can rebuild the program into a true contender in the SEC and on the national stage.

For now, Kalen DeBoer’s first season is best described as dreadful. Whether he can make the necessary adjustments, recruit the right players, and lead Alabama back to the top remains to be seen. But for a program with the history and expectations of Alabama, there is little room for error. The clock is ticking for DeBoer to turn things around before the fanbase’s patience runs out.