Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer has many criticisms in his first year on the job, with SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum at the top of the list.
After a sloppy loss to Tennessee earlier this month, Alabama and DeBoer found themselves with two losses before November. During the 17 years under Nick Saban, that only happened once, his first year in 2007.
Alabama has won three of the last four SEC Championships, but with two conference losses this early, it is doubtful the Crimson Tide will get an opportunity this season. During an appearance on the “Andy and Ari” podcast, Finebaum questioned the trajectory of the Crimson Tide program under DeBoer.
Paul Finebaum on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer:
— On3 (@On3sports) October 31, 2024
"He hasn't commanded the stage very well... His demeanor on the sidelines bugs people, his lack of discipline, some of the things that he says and does...
It's really going to come down to next week." pic.twitter.com/O2zZGKSbSG
“I’m pretty surprised because the DeBoer transition was seamless outside of the first day or two when he lost a couple of players,” Finebaum said. “He’s a good coach, but I don’t think he’s commanded the stage very well. I’ve been to Alabama twice in about two weeks now, and there’s a level of impatience with him. Some of it’s natural. It’s post-Saban.”
“But his demeanor on the sidelines bugs people, " he said. “His lack of discipline, some of the things that he says and does, his coaching staff has not worn well.”
DeBoer joined Alabama following two highly successful seasons as head coach at Washington. There, he led the Huskies to a 25-3 record and lost in the national championship game in 2023 before accepting the Crimson Tide position. He is a proven winner, and there is no doubt that he can have a successful career at Alabama.
Alabama will face LSU on November 9, a game Finebaum believes could shape the season’s narrative around DeBoer. Winning this matchup will be crucial for DeBoer to sway Finebaum's opinion of him and keep the Crimson Tide’s goals alive.
“It’s really going to come down to next week,” Finebaum said. “Should he lose to LSU, that game will determine what we say about him in the offseason. I am not that impressed so far.”
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