Have you ever seen a Bama team lose 4 games in a season and not hear Roll Tide yell from the rooftops? Yeah, me neither. But here we are. Alabama’s 2024 season ended with a meh 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, officially making Kalen DeBoer’s first year as head coach… Well, that’s not quite what fans were dreaming of. Nine wins might sound solid for most programs but in Tuscaloosa? That’s a funeral procession, no lie. Folks are used to champagne, not some sparkling water, and missing the playoffs feels like someone yanked the car keys to the kingdom. But before y’all start panicking, here’s the thing—DeBoer ain’t sweating it, and neither should you.

On January 5th, Josh Pate, host of The Late Kick, delivered a little sermon to Tide fans and Kalen DeBoer, assuring them that brighter days are ahead. Josh Pate started off with a strong take. “This is not some poverty program,” Pate said, with the type of confidence that makes you double-take. “They will be very competitive in 2025. I don’t know what they are at quarterback right now. I don’t know what they’re going to get out of Ty Simpson or Austin Mack. If it’s not one of those guys, I’m banking on a true freshman coming in and immediately playing championship-caliber ball.” Look, the Bama QB situation is low-key messed up. This season, they had a QB who couldn’t throw the ball when the stakes were high. Next season, Josh Pate is riding with 2025 class QB Keelon Russell.

Look, this season ain’t completely Kalen DeBoer’s fault. They had a C- offense & lost to -.500 Sooners in the most diabolical manner. Pate wasn’t sugarcoating the struggles Kalen DeBoer faced—he straight-up admitted this isn’t a vintage Saban squad. “They weren’t elite this year. The quarterback position, chief among those, wasn’t what we’re used to. But DeBoer inherited what he inherited,” Pate added.

Despite the playoff miss, Pate’s big-time optimism centered on Alabama’s recruiting game and roster management. “The thing that gives me the most confidence about Bama right now is their talent acquisition profile,” he said. “It’s not how much money you have to spend; it’s how you’re spending it.” Alabama’s No. 2 recruiting class for 2025 backs him up. They snagged four five-star recruits, including potential star QB Keelon Russell, along with offensive linemen Michael Carroll and Jackson Lyold. Add 14 four-stars to the mix, and you have a roster stacked like a winning poker hand. Pate emphasized Alabama’s focus on in-house development rather than relying on the transfer portal. “You go evaluate and recruit your guys, develop your guys, and then pay your guys. That’s how you build culture. That’s how you build a roster you can depend on.”

Kalen DeBoer’s blueprint for the 2025 season

Josh Pate literally didn’t shy away from comparing DeBoer’s approach to other heavy-hitter programs. He pulled Ohio State’s model of retaining and reinvesting in homegrown talent. Alabama’s low-key doing the same thing. “They’re not just chasing shiny objects in the portal—they’re doubling down on the guys they trust, like Ryan Williams and Jaylen Mbakwe.” Josh preached.

This strategy is key to building a sustainable powerhouse, and DeBoer seems big-time committed. Ain’t gonna lie, there were bumps in the road during his first year, but those are growing pains, not warning signs. The upcoming season promises a quarterback battle that could define Alabama’s future. Ty Simpson and Austin Mack will duke it out, the word on the street; 2025 class freshman Keelon Russell is making waves. Pate isn’t putting all his chips on one player, but he believes the Tide’s depth and talent will carry them back to playoff contention.

See, for a program as majestic as Alabama, a 9-4 season feels like a gut punch. But let’s keep it real—Kalen DeBoer is building something special like he did at Washington. Give the man a break. Kalen DeBoer didn’t take over a top-tier team. When Nick Saban left bama. It was one big hell of a mess. Kalen DeBoer did his best without a real QB1. Look, gotta admit the 2024 season was a low-key transitional year, not an utter failure. Josh Pate nailed it: “Alabama’s gonna be alright.” And when Bama gets back to its championship ways in 2025 or in 2026, you’ll remember that this was just the warm-up. So, Tide fans, chill out. The dynasty isn’t dead—it’s just reloading.