It feels like yesterday when Paul Finebaum decided to take a jab at Kalen DeBoer. “Was Kalen DeBoer here? Because up and down radio row, up and down the television row, the conversation was what we’re doing right here. It was about Nick Saban,” Finebaum had said on SEC Network. His entire hot take was based on the fact that although DeBoer was present and did speak at the SEC Media Days, he didn’t make his presence felt at all.

Is this a fair criticism? Comparing a legend with someone just trying to carry the mantle that said legend has left behind. Of course, there will be differences. After that bash, Greg McElroy on 17th July, on ESPN Always College Football presented some insights that align with what Finebaum had initially said. “Well, he did retire and the world has changed, but the guy that stole the show at SEC Media Days the last four days was Coach Nick Saban. When he steps up to the podium when he goes up to the microphone, he has an agenda, he has a point that he wants to get across, and that still very much comes through in his time on camera breaking down these teams,” he mentioned. Yes, no one can deny that Saban commands a completely different presence. Even Jalen Milroe accepted this back when Iron Bowl 2023 happened. “looking at me, like staring in my soul,” Milroe had explained.

But the main problem with all this arises when you start comparing Saban’s role and level in this game with DeBoer’s. Both are different people with completely different styles and achievements. Finebaum’s dig at DeBoer falls short solely on the fact that DeBoer is not going up there to compete for stage presence with Nick Saban. Even during the interviews at SEC Media Days, Saban was more interested in what plans DeBoer or Kirby Smart had for the upcoming season. “Only question that he (Nick Saban) wanted to get answered when visiting with those two coaches was, ‘Hey, Coach, what’s keeping you up at night? Where are you concerned?'” McElroy had said regarding the time when Saban was directly interviewing DeBoer and Smart. Paul Finebaum should start asking better questions. A good suggestion would be, “How is DeBoer getting ready for the upcoming season?”

A tide is coming

70% increase in pass accuracy during practice sessions and a much better pocket presence. That’s how ready Jalen Milroe has been ever since moving under Kalen DeBoer’s wings. That’s not all though. Pro Football Focus had much to say regarding Alabama’s offense under DeBoer. “All three of Alabama’s projected starters on the interior made PFF’s list of the top returners at the position: Parker Brailsford (No. 1), Tyler Booker (No. 3) and Jaeden Roberts (No. 7),” they mentioned. It is a fact that Alabama right now has the “best offensive line” in the country.

Maybe instead of focusing on stage presence, Finebaum could’ve talked or questioned about how DeBoer has managed to prepare the team for 2024. Either way, fans know that the Crimson Tides are all set for the new season under DeBoer’s offensive mastery.