Kalen DeBoer stepped into the media swarm at the Reese’s Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, exuding the calm of a man who has seen his fair share of chaos. And chaos, in many ways, is exactly what he’s walked into at Alabama Crimson Tide. The legendary juggernaut of college football, fresh off the Nick Saban era, is undergoing a seismic roster upheaval. And DeBoer, out in full force, was surrounded by reporters like a star entering 2025 in his 2nd season with a 9-4 record and $10.5 million salary.

Over the course of the off-season, Alabama lost 41 total players. 25 players in the transfer portal, 13 players graduated, 3 players declared for the 2025 NFL draft. Some were integral pieces to the Crimson Tide’s success. The graduates and NFL-bound stars were headlined by quarterback Jalen Milroe and linebacker Jihaad Campbell. The program’s talent drain isn’t entirely unprecedented. And with the expectations of competing for a national championship still firmly in place, the new head coach has wasted no time working to steady the ship. In an interview posted by BamaOnLine, one of the many things that DeBoer was asked about was the addition of assistant defensive backs coach Jason Jones. At the same time, a former Seahawks staffer is also probably on the way.

Firstly, let’s discuss Jones. A name deeply tied to Alabama’s history. A former Crimson Tide player from 1996-2000, Jones understands the culture and expectations that come with wearing the script “A.” Admitting he was caught off guard by just how well-connected Jones was, DeBoer said, “It actually kind of surprised me when I brought his name up to the coaching staff. I did not realize how many connections [he had], and when I dove into those connections a little more, the same things kept coming out about who he is as a person, how great he is at recruiting… the Xs and Os.” Translation: this is a guy who can help bridge the gap between Saban’s era and what DeBoer is trying to build.

Yet, the coaching carousel isn’t just about who’s coming in—it’s also about who might be circling back. Kalen DeBoer addressed the speculation surrounding Ryan Grubb, his former OC at Washington. Grubb was instrumental in Washington’s 2023 run to the national championship game, and when DeBoer made the jump to Alabama, many expected Grubb to follow. Instead, he took a detour to the NFL, joining the Seattle Seahawks as their offensive coordinator. That experiment lasted one year before he was let go.

DeBoer, for his part, kept the door wide open. “We go way back,” he said. “Great friend of mine. I think the world of him as a football coach, obviously as a person too. I know he’s working through his process, just kind of after what last season brought. So, just gotta see what he does there and I am here for him whenever he needs me.”

The idea of bringing in Grubb—who helped orchestrate one of the most explosive offenses in the country at Washington—could be a masterstroke. Alabama’s offensive identity under Saban evolved over the years, shifting from a run-heavy, pro-style system to a more dynamic spread attack. Grubb, with his deep knowledge of DeBoer’s offensive schemes, could provide much-needed continuity.

Beyond the coaching moves, DeBoer has also been busy reinforcing Alabama’s reputation as an NFL factory. His presence at the Senior Bowl is the proof. Saban’s ability to develop players into high draft picks was one of the program’s biggest selling points, and DeBoer knows he must maintain that pipeline to keep Alabama atop the recruiting mountain. He was busy supporting fellow FBS coaches at the American Football Coaches Association’s recent convention.

Kalen DeBoer is the man of the coaches

Speaking at the Senior Bowl practice on Tuesday, DeBoer voiced his support for a proposal that would eliminate the spring transfer window and shrink the current 20-day postseason window down to just 10 days in January.

The proposal, which was unanimously backed by FBS coaches at the American Football Coaches Association convention, still needs approval from the Football Oversight Committee and the NCAA Division I Council before becoming official. But DeBoer made it clear where he stands. “I think a smaller window and one window would certainly be ideal,” DeBoer told reporters. “It’s about having a better understanding of your roster at this point in the year. Less gray area, less confusion—for us and our players—on what’s ahead.”

The 20-day entry window falls during December postseason bowl prep for many teams. The current system has turned roster management into a year-round guessing game for coaches. By tightening the process, DeBoer and his peers hope to bring more stability to teams and players alike.