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Following the path that Nick Saban had left behind has to be hard. Kalen DeBoer knows this and this is why he has been up there with his team and trying to sculpt it to become the best in the college football scene. While DeBoer has already shown the football world what he is capable of by taking struggling programs (Washington State, Sioux Falls, Fresno State) Paul Finebaum still needs more proof.
And so the bashing continues. Back on SEC Network, Paul Finebaum now directly calls out Kalen DeBoer. “Was Kalen DeBoer here? I swear, I want proof of life that Kalen DeBoer, the new Alabama coach, was at SEC Media Day. 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.” DeBoer, regarded as the “Next Nick Saban” now finds himself in Finebaum’s crosshairs. But was this dig even justified in the first place? DeBoer has been doing exceptionally well with the Crimson Tide, so why the callout now?
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Paul Finebaum: “Was Kalen DeBoer here? I swear, I want proof of life that Kalen DeBoer, the new Alabama coach, was at SEC Media Day. 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.” pic.twitter.com/ADP0QCCBdT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 18, 2024
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What’s your reaction?
Did Paul Finebaum just take the ultimate dig at Nick Saban's successor? React!
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That is not all, though. Finebaum has gone on a frenzy, calling out other major CFB HCs. We also found the harsh comments regarding Deion Sanders and Lincoln Riley. “And I’m not sure Deion Sanders is ever going to get them to the playoffs……They are irrelevant in the big picture of college football,” is what Finebaum commented regarding the Buffs, showing his clear lack of faith that the team would even manage to cross over to the main games. He also took a jab at Riley. “I thought last year was one of the worst coaching jobs I’ve ever seen. Quite frankly … I would’ve fired Lincoln Riley,” Finebaum had said. Although the Trojans were having a hard time last season, this sudden 180-degree change in Paul Finebaum’s opinion after he called Riley “best hires in recent memory” feels shocking. However, are these harsh digs necessary? aren’t the coaches doing their best for the upcoming games?
Motivation or doubt?
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Coach Prime, Lincoln Riley, and Kalen DeBoer, what connects these coaches? Deion has to redeem the Buffs and erase the 2023 season mistakes, Riley took over a team that was already struggling and DeBoer has the burden of carrying the legacy that Nick Saban left. And if you ask me? These coaches are doing their best to follow through with their commitments. Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and the Buffs defense line have already been charged up with better accuracy, strength, and new players.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Kalen DeBoer really the right choice to follow in Nick Saban's legendary footsteps?
Have an interesting take?
DeBoer has drastically changed the Alabama offense line and is all set to take Jalen Milroe to become the next Heisman winner. Finally, Riley, although failing to make his mark in the Pac-12 or Cotton Bowl, still has the experience and talent and has coached Caleb Williams towards winning the Heisman Trophy and becoming a No. 1 draft pick. Maybe all the storms that Paul Finebaum brewed up on SEC Network are some sort of reserve psychology tricks to make these coaches work harder. However, only time will tell if Finebaum stands correct or ends up eating his words.
Debate
Is Kalen DeBoer really the right choice to follow in Nick Saban's legendary footsteps?