However, as the insider exposes the truth and alters our perception of reality, DeBoer no longer appears as an insignificant figure in Bama’s coaching history.

Kalen DeBoer’s victim side gets big-time validation 

The criticisms of DeBoer have been a never-ending list. Some propagated the notion of his excessive aggression spoiling the milk for the Tide in the SEC. They frowned at Kalen DeBoer’s heavy offensive chaos, especially after the Tide squad returned home from Nashville empty-handed following an unforgivable Vanderbilt loss. Vets think DeBoer should be minutely careful in recruiting offensive staff to better control the situation under pressure. All of these brickbats are pretty realistic, but the expectation wasn’t. This is no secret that Nick Saban has set the bar unfathomably high for his successors. During his more than two decades at Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban won six national championships, including three in the College Football Playoff era, a feat nearly unachievable for any high-achieving coach.

Kalen DeBoer definitely has his own share of blunders; he could have ended the season on a slightly better note, but mounting a breakout run wasn’t in the script since the beginning. DeBoer, the former Washington head coach, jetted off to Alabama knowing what he signed up for. He tried his best to match up the energy of a highly celebrated school by entering the locker room with an accepting, humbling smile on his face. But it kept on getting fainter as we progressed deeper into the season. Alabama Football Report Chat Sports‘ host put it out straight: Kalen DeBoer might be the first coach in history who is not given the benefit of the doubt in his first year taking over for a new team.

“Nobody made these snarky-a-s comments when Kirby Smart went 8-5 in his first year at Georgia, and nobody made these comments about Steve Sarkisian when he went 5-7 in his first season at Texas.” The insider exposed the double standard of the college football community. They’re visibly being extra harsh to DeBoer. The first season for head coach Kirby Smart at Georgia was nothing but a roller coaster that came to a screeching halt with a terrible 8-5 after a gut-wrenching loss to Georgia Tech. It took years for Smart to be prolific in his craft and earn his reputation over the mix, but fans offered him the patience to reach the top of the ball game.

The same happened to Steve Sarkisian in 2021. They missed a bowl game for the first time in four years. If fans had gone mad at him and lost faith, it would have been tough for Sarkisian to reach a better rank in two years. “What did they say then? They said let them get their players, oh the players need to learn the new system. Nobody is giving the same kind of benefit of the doubt to Kalen DeBoer,” the insider added, shedding light on the DeBoer’s discontent.

Success needs talent, but it demands patience, and not only the fans but even players refused to give it to their inaugural head coach.

Alabama Players didn’t associate much with DeBoer

DeBoer tried his hardest to gel with the Bama squad. He understood their mindset and their suffering in letting go of their GOAT, but all he wanted was to send a subtle message of encouragement and appreciation their way. But players didn’t seem to be on the same page. After Nick Saban triggered a mass exodus following his departure, DeBoer gained many of them back to the school when the portal started working both ways.

The players were kind of rigid in their pre-decided notions and standards. A little flexibility would only help the team to reach a better height in 2024 and beyond. Former Washington DB Dom Hampton noticed the air of disapproval over the locker room and said, ”It’s about buying into what the coach is speaking, that’s in every level of football.”

“You got to have a brotherhood or culture. If you don’t, you are about to lose. Once sh-t starts getting hard, it’s over with,” the veteran asked for justice for DeBoer. He also praised DeBoer’s ability to produce explosive passing attacks. One of the players who helped the new head coach in this transition was the QB Jalen Milroe, and at various points, DeBoer was appreciative of his captain for the same. In hindsight, it may look like Milroe never got around a DeBoer offense, but that statement would be wrong. We saw the best of Milroe in 2024- with his legs, with his long passes, and with his connection with Ryan Williams. Of course, when things end badly, you tend to remember the worst.

It will be interesting to see what the upcoming years look like for DeBoer and his newly formed squad at Tuscaloosa.