ESPN Analyst Puts Kalen DeBoer on Hot Seat With Major Alabama Concerns After Doubtful Ty Simpson Call

Is Kalen DeBoer good enough for a program as elite as Alabama? Ever since DeBoer took the mantle from legendary Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide’s HC has had his moments against Georgia, Oklahoma, and Michigan. However, a lackluster 9-4 record is never enough for Alabama. But when around 30 players dip into the portal in a single window, even DeBoer did not have enough at his disposal in his first year. And the way things stand right now in Alabama, former head coach Nick Saban, still, “don’t really have an expectation” from this Alabama side.

Unlike last year, DeBoer has not lost a single scholarship player to the transfer portal in spring this year, an achievement in the portal that no team has. Talk about building a new culture in Tuscaloosa. He has added a handful of players to the portal. Jack Sammarco and Brody Dalton were the latest additions in the spring portal, bringing more flair to the TE room. Well, DeBoer has settled a bit! And it was felt in the first Alabama meeting of this season as well.

Crimson Tide cornerback Zabien Brown, who was perhaps not a fan of how DeBoer’s first meeting in 2024 went, confirmed the vibe this season is completely different. “Our first meeting this year,” Brown said, “was ‘what are y’all going to do? Y’all going to have to show me. Can y’all work? Can y’all sustain? The competitive nature. Can y’all show me? Can y’all get better?’” But despite all the hype, when it comes to the sheer SEC competition, Alabama still lacks that depth.

On3’s J.D. PicKell seconded, saying, “I really, really feel that way about Kalen DeBoer and that offense.” ESPN’s Aaron Murray also chimed in, “Yeah, no, no listen. I’m hoping so, you know, DeBoer was put in a very difficult situation, a year ago. There’s no doubt about that. Taking over from Nick Saban, and you know, I still believe that he is a good enough coach to get that roster, which is elite, to be competitive, but like, listen, they’re kind of borderline. And there are a lot of teams in the SEC right now that are pretty dang good.

DeBoer will head to 2025 with a chip on his shoulder already. But the teams he will face are very much aware of his weak points in terms of adapting to the Alabama culture. Teams like Florida State, Wisconsin, Georgia, and South Carolina can really leave him on the edge of his seat. The reigning SEC champs could be the toughest to deal with on September 27. The Bulldogs have their roster in place, adding receivers Noah Thomas and Zachariah Branch. If Gunner Stockton can deliver, they can be a real beast.

”Fortunately, for them, the new rules aren’t there yet, where you know if you do go nine and three, there’s still a possibility that you can make it into the playoffs,” PicKell added. “Maybe next year they could. But I still don’t know if I see a roster of enough elite playmakers on offense to still have the feeling of this is a team that’s just going to dominate everyone.”

It will be a daunting test of Kalen DeBoer as well as for Ty Simpson, the seasoned veteran under the center.