The University of Alabama may not have had the most impressive 5-1 start, but Kalen DeBoer has led the football program to a No. 7 national ranking after six games.
While Alabama hasn’t played its best football over the last 10 quarters—from the second half against Georgia to the South Carolina game—they have a chance to turn things around this Saturday against Tennessee.
DeBoer took on the challenge of succeeding Nick Saban when he left Washington for Tuscaloosa. He now has the task of preparing players weekly for tough matchups in the Southeastern Conference. Recognizing the differences from the Pac-12, DeBoer has made the watchlist for the Paul W. “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year award. Two former Alabama coaches, Gene Stallings and Saban, have won this honor since 1986, with Stallings leading Alabama to a national title in 1992 and Saban winning in 2020 after securing his sixth championship with the Tide.
DeBoer has a chance to win, but what must he do to enhance his chances?
First, he needs to focus on improving the team’s toughness, discipline, and awareness. Alabama has struggled with discipline over the last 10 quarters, allowing big plays, being ineffective on third downs, and lacking both eye discipline and gap integrity against the run. By addressing communication issues and ensuring the team plays a complete game, DeBoer can strengthen his bid for Coach of the Year.
Additionally, Alabama needs to win out for the remainder of its regular season. DeBoer faces tough opponents, including Tennessee, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Auburn. If he navigates these challenges successfully, a one-loss Alabama team could make it to the SEC Championship in Atlanta, potentially earning a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
Achieving this would significantly boost DeBoer’s standing with voters. Finally, if he can lead the team to the CFP National Championship Game and secure a victory, he would likely earn the Coach of the Year title, especially after turning things around following a loss to Vanderbilt. All of this is within reach, but DeBoer needs to deliver, starting with the game against the Volunteers on Saturday.
