Alabama standards are different. Head coach Kalen DeBoer appears to have gotten the taste of this notion in his first year. Leaving Washington for Tuscaloosa was seen as a massive upgrade — rightly so — but the expectations were quite high after Nick Saban stepped down from his position following 17 years.
DeBoer managed to lead the program to a 9-4 season, but that was not enough, as it was the team’s worst record since 2007.
Kalen DeBoer Vows To Bounce Back
The former Huskies coach is on the path to salvaging the eroded Alabama standards. It was the first season in the last 17 years that Bama could not record 10 wins in a single campaign.
The program didn’t live up to the standards set by Saban’s dynasty, and all the blame was dumped on DeBoer.
MORE: Kalen DeBoer Backs Proposal To Eliminate Spring Transfer Window
On Wednesday (Jan. 29), the Alabama coach spoke about this issue and vowed to make a comeback. He was present at the Senior Bowl and interacted with the reporters.
“We know that we need to be better. And that’s six expectations I had day one that we perform at a championship level, and we certainly fell short of that,” DeBoer said.
DeBoer continued, “Whether you’re 0-12 or 12-0 in a regular season, you know you’re always going to really critique and be detailed on how you got to improve, and I appreciate what our staff is doing, what our players are doing, to really look inward, work together, and continue to move forward. So a lot of good things already happen.
“It already feels just a lot different internally as we turn the page into 2025, from the first team meeting, which was, you know, less than two weeks after our last bowl game. So just excited about what’s happening, the work that’s being put in. Haven’t had a chance to be around the guys a lot, just because we’ve been on the road.
“Recruitment only gets a few days here, especially as a head coach. The only time of year now, in January, to get out, but really excited about the momentum we have with so many players choosing to continue their career here and build the stock they have to get to the level that we’re talking about going on the NFL.”
Currently, Alabama ranks No. 2 in the recruiting class nationwide. Almost 24 players have entered the transfer portal, and only eight of them made their way back. It is a massive revamp thats going on in Tuscaloosa.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
