Alabama boosters reportedly restless following Florida State loss
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Crimson Tide fans aren’t the only ones concerned about the current state of the Alabama football program. According to a report from On3’s Chris Low on Wednesday, there is “genuine concern” mounting amongst boosters and influential figures within the Alabama donor base about head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Alabama lost to Florida State, 31-17, on the road on Saturday. The loss was Alabama’s fifth in its last 10 games under DeBoer. It was also the fourth loss in the last 5 true road games.
Some had wondered if the loss would knock Alabama out of the updated AP Top 25 entirely — something that hasn’t happened since 2007. The Tide fell from No. 8 to No. 21 in the poll — their lowest ranking since the preseason 2008 poll.
“We’re spoiled, always have been. But when we put a team out there that looks uninspired like we have far too many times these past two years and lose to teams that we’re clearly more talented than, that’s when it becomes a problem … and not just a bunch of spoiled fans griping,” one prominent donor told On3.
Another booster told the outlet that there’s frustration over how “little emotion” DeBoer displays on gamedays.
Alabama’s performance on Saturday left fans pining after other coaches — even Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea. In the immediate aftermath of the game, Crimson Tide supporters were feverishly searching up DeBoer’s buyout situation.
It approaches $70 million if he were to be terminated without cause this year. DeBoer is slated to make $10 million this season with incentives that could add another quarter of a million. The 8-year contract he signed when he agreed to replace Nick Saban guaranteed 90% of his salary.
If Alabama chose to pay that figure and search for a new coach, it would approach the record for the largest buyout ever paid in college football history. That distinction belongs to Jimbo Fisher, who got $77.5 million from Texas A&M when he was dismissed in 2023.
Many felt Fisher’s buyout was prohibitive. But when a wealthy program loses wealthy boosters, they seem to find a way.
The Crimson Tide face UL Monroe at home on Saturday (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network). They are a 36.5-point favorite at ESPN Bet. In order to turn down the heat, DeBoer desperately needs to cover that number.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
