Kalen DeBoer is set to make his debut as the head coach of Alabama football, marking the end of an era with Nick Saban’s retirement. DeBoer inherits a program with high expectations, ranked No. 5 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25. The Crimson Tide have historically performed well under first-year coaches, with the exception of Mike DuBose’s 4-7 record in 1997.
DeBoer brings a history of success to Tuscaloosa and will look to continue the winning tradition set by Saban. The College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams in 2024 has raised expectations for Alabama despite having a first-year coach. Previous Alabama coaches, including Saban, have struggled in their first seasons, but DeBoer has the advantage of inheriting a strong roster and infrastructure.
Looking back at past Alabama coaches in their first years, Saban started with a 7-6 record in 2007, while Dennis Franchione led the team to a 7-5 record in 2001. Gene Stallings and Bill Curry also had respectable 7-5 records in their inaugural seasons. DeBoer will aim to replicate or surpass these performances as he takes on the challenge of leading one of college football’s most storied programs.
The departure of Saban marks a new chapter for Alabama football, with DeBoer poised to lead the team into a competitive season. With the support of fans and a strong program behind him, DeBoer’s coaching tenure is highly anticipated as he looks to make his mark on the Crimson Tide.
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