There’s always thrills and success that football fans in Alabama crave, but this one has been a long time brewing. Now, one recent example that stands out is Malachi Moore, Alabama’s defensive back and team captain. During the game against Vanderbilt, he defied his coaches’ orders to leave the field, blatantly disobeying them on live TV. To make matters worse, he threw a tantrum on the field, kicking the pigskin and earning a penalty. Not exactly the behavior you’d expect from a leader, right?

But here is where things become a bit interesting. Despite all of this passion and heat, the insiders are stating that there is no suspension in the offing for Moore. Could you let that sink in? He might be the captain, and he still has that “C” on his chest, but one would expect him to pay for what happened. On the Crain & Company show, a source revealed, “When you’re not listening to your coach and you’re defying him on national TV… some sort of action has to be taken.” So, what’s the deal with Malachi? Why no suspension?

The level of response, or in this case the lack of it, coming from the staff of this Alabama program has forced quite several people to take a pause. The event brought some questions about discipline and leadership under the new head coach – Kalen DeBoer. “It’s one thing to be upset and be a leader… but he took it to a point where it became about him,”  the insider added. The problem is not that Moore behaved improperly; it is to what extent he managed to turn the focus on himself. You’re the captain—you’re the one whose job it is to sit there cool as a cucumber and not go crazy.

Malachi Moore did give an apology later, where he stated that he had wanted, “I was completely out of line. I let the emotions of the game get the best of me and put myself before the team.” Good apology, but can that be enough? Former players under Nick Saban will agree on this since they never thought so. “You made yourself look very, very small at that moment,” the insider said bluntly. And it’s true. Alabama’s program is built on discipline and respect, the two vital principles that seem to be eroding.

Is Malachi Moore’s act a sign of trouble?

The question that begs an answer now is: what is there for Moore to do? Well, it is going to be done internally. No public punishment. No suspension. “I don’t think you suspend him. I think it’s going to be in-house….because there’s a reason you got that C on your chest,” the insider added. But that is where things get a little dicey for DeBoer. During the ‘Nick Saban era,’ Alabama culture was all about obedience and respect—players never messing up the line. “There was a level of fear of pissing off Nick Saban… I didn’t see any fear in Malachi,”  the insider pointed out. If there isn’t such clear demarcation, is DeBoer losing control of the dressing room?

But wait, there’s more: Malachi Moore’s behavior is also beginning to turn heads. Paul Finebaum, providing his input on the situation, said that he feels things in Tuscaloosa have started getting a little too relaxed. “This program is a little bit too loose. Whether it’s NIL, I don’t know what it is. I liked it until I didn’t like it Saturday afternoon.” That is quite rigorous to digest especially when it comes from a man who has followed the Alabama program for years.

We should not lose sight of the fact that Moore’s shenanigans were during a lost game against Vanderbilt— a team Alabama should have easily beaten. In the first four games, Alabama scorched its defenses; its defense only surrendered 11 third downs in 64 attempts. But against Vandy? They gave up 12 out of 18. That’s not only bad; it’s a collapse. And while the defense failed, Moore’s conduct dominated it.

For Kalen DeBoer, it means that this kind of behavior simply cannot be allowed to occur again and again, which would continually erode the very fabric of the team. And for Moore, he wants to show what he is capable of doing. He’s a leader, but that ‘C ’ on his chest might as well be a paperweight if he can’t keep his head screwed on right. Alabama has the talent to come back and win, they just have to watch out and fix that issue of getting constantly penalized.