Alabama Journalists Advise Kalen DeBoer to Learn Key Lesson From College Basketball HC After Season Struggles

Y’all ever seen a coach get called out off-season by his own school’s journalists? That’s exactly the heat Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer is catching right now. Picture this: you’re fresh off a rough season that has every Bama fan clutching their pearls; you are just chilling and watching some basketball game at Coleman Coliseum, and then someone from your own house tells you to take notes from the basketball coach. Yeah, you read that right. The basketball coach. But hey, this is Alabama, where expectations don’t stop at football—they snowball into everything. Let’s unpack this wild critique and why some folks think DeBoer could take a page from the best roster-builder college basketball coach.

When Alabama journalist Tony Tsoukalas tweeted that Kalen DeBoer could “take notes” from Bama basketball HC Nate Oats’ decision to bench his star player during Alabama basketball’s gritty win over LSU, jaws dropped faster than Jalen Milroe’s passer rating against Oklahoma.

The tweet hit hard: “Kalen DeBoer was on hand to watch Alabama basketball’s win over LSU last night. Here’s hoping the head coach took notes on Nate Oats’ willingness to bench his star players.” Nate Oats benched Mark Sears, the SEC’s leading scorer, in the second half after a brutal first half where Sears (scored zero) couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. The move paid off; Nate pulled in a guard, Aden Holloway, and Mouhamed Diabate at offense had Bama securing an 80-73 dub. But football ain’t basketball, and this isn’t a video game where you can swap QBs every drive.

DeBoer stuck with Jalen Milroe all season, even when the wheels came off, like during that embarrassing 24-3 humiliation at Norman. Milroe threw 3 picks that day, including one pick-six, and the Tide’s playoff hopes got sent to the graveyard. Could DeBoer have benched Milroe? Sure. But let’s not act like Alabama had some Patrick Mahomes clone chilling on the bench. Ty Simpson, the backup, wasn’t exactly screaming “future Heisman” during practice.

Here’s where the journalists might have a point. DeBoer showed an almost stubborn loyalty to Milroe last season. Even when it was clear the QB was throwing away games with poor performance. Nate Oats, on the flip side, benched his All-American scorer without hesitation, putting the team above egos. But comparing football to basketball?

Basketball coaches can rotate players like DJ Khaled rotates catchphrases. Football coaches? They’re stuck with their starting QB unless they want to risk imploding their entire offense. Still, there’s no denying DeBoer’s leash is shorter than ever. If Simpson lowballs and DeBoer doesn’t make adjustments, the fanbase won’t just want his seat hot; they’ll want it replaced.

Kalen DeBoer’s 2025 QB room and 2024 Bama season

To say Bama football’s 2024 season was rough is an understatement. A 9-4 record might fly at some schools, but in Tuscaloosa? That’s literally gonna put you on the hot seat. That’s where Kalen DeBoer is now. Losing to Oklahoma—a team that finished 6-7—was bad enough. Add in a 19-13 L against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, and you’ve got fans wishing Nick Saban would un-retire like he’s Tom Brady in his Tampa Arc.

But here’s the thing: this season was a setup. DeBoer inherited a QB room that wouldn’t scare a high school secondary. Even Nick Saban, the GOAT himself, couldn’t turn Jalen Milroe into Tua 2.0 in 2023. Milroe’s stats looked decent on paper—2,800 passing yards, 720 rushing yards, and 36 total touchdowns—but let’s not forget those 11 interceptions and double-digit turnovers. If you watch Jalen Milroe play, you know he can’t make 3 passes in a row and can’t hit wideouts on slants. And in the NFL, where running QBs get chewed up and spit out, Milroe’s actual draft projection looks about as stable as a Jenga tower in the fourth quarter.

If DeBoer’s 2024 season was a car crash, 2025 might be the tow truck. Jalen Milroe is off to the NFL, leaving Ty Simpson to take the reins. Simpson, a redshirt junior, hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire, but he’s about to be Alabama’s guy, whether he’s ready or not. And if Simpson flames out? DeBoer’s got some backup plans—though they come with training wheels.

Keelon Russell, the No. 2 QB recruit in the country, headlines Bama’s incoming class. The kid’s got talent, but let’s be real: asking a freshman to lead Alabama back to glory is like asking a rookie to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. DeBoer also has 2 or 3 other quarterbacks in the mix, though neither has seen meaningful snaps. The real question is whether DeBoer has the guts to make a change if Simpson struggles. Could he channel his inner Nate Oats and bench his “starter” mid-season? It’s one thing to bench a basketball player for 20 minutes; it’s another to yank your QB and risk total locker room chaos.

Kalen DeBoer doesn’t just need a bounce-back year; he needs a full-blown redemption arc. Alabama fans are patient, but only if patience leads to trophies. The Nate Oats comparisons might be harsh, but they underline one undeniable truth: in Tuscaloosa, winning isn’t everything—it’s the only thing.