It has only taken two seasons for Kalen DeBoer to feel the immense pressure of being the head football coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
In some ways, he knew the expectations he signed up for following the legendary Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa.
Now, as DeBoer enters his third season, he’s not backing down from the challenge; instead, he’s leaning in.
“This is what we signed up for,” DeBoer told Chris Low of On3 following Alabama’s ninth spring practice. “It’s what we want. Nobody’s running away from it.”
Kalen DeBoer Shuts Down Michigan Rumors
Speculation swirled linking DeBoer to the Michigan Wolverines, with reports suggesting the program was ready to aggressively pursue him.
DeBoer made one thing crystal clear: it never happened.
“I never talked to anyone, not one time,” he said firmly.
Despite knowing Michigan’s interest was real, DeBoer said engaging wasn’t even a consideration. Especially with Alabama preparing for a College Football Playoff run at the time.
“I didn’t come here to follow Coach Saban only to leave two years later,” DeBoer said. “This is Alabama… I plan on being here for a while.”
The Wolverines ultimately hired Kyle Whittingham, but the noise surrounding DeBoer never reached Alabama’s locker room.
Players, including cornerback Zabien Brown, said the team never wavered.
DeBoer Has Had a Jekyll & Hyde Start at Alabama
Up and down doesn’t begin to describe the Kalen DeBoer era of Alabama football. There have been moments where it appears the Tide has turned the corner, such as ending the 33-game home winning streak for the Georgia Bulldogs. But once you mix in the head-scratching loss to Florida State and a home loss to Oklahoma in year two, you begin to wonder what’s going on in Tuscaloosa.
“We fell short of the ultimate goal,” DeBoer admitted, “but we took a step in the right direction.”
DeBoer Focused on Fixing the Run Game
By far, Alabama’s biggest issue in 2025 was the lack of a rushing attack. The Tide finished near the bottom in rushing yards per game, and DeBoer has made a concentrated effort this offseason to resolve those issues.
DeBoer hired a new offensive line coach, Adrian Klemm, and a new tight end coach, Richard Owens, both of whom have extensive experience as run game coordinators.
Alabama is also in a complete rebuild mode along the offensive line, which is expected to have four new starters in 2026.
“Putting the line together will be the key,” DeBoer said. “It’s a clean slate for a lot of those guys.”
Heated QB Battle is Taking Center Stage
One of the most important storylines in Tuscaloosa remains unsettled. The quarterback competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, and all indications point to this not being settled anytime soon.
Mack brings experience in DeBoer’s system dating back to Washington, while Russell offers elite arm talent and playmaking instincts.
“The ceilings continue to rise,” DeBoer said. “It’s not even close to where they were a year ago.”
The Bottom Line for Kalen DeBoer at Alabama
There’s no escaping the reality in Tuscaloosa: success is measured in championships.
DeBoer knows that.
And while Alabama hasn’t reached the mountaintop yet under his leadership, the foundation appears to be firmly in place.
“We’re right where we want to be,” DeBoer said.
Now comes the next step, proving it on the field.
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