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Alabama’s future better off with Kalen DeBoer over Nick Saban? ESPN analyst makes bold claim for Tide
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Alabama is heading into uncharted waters in 2024, an uncomfortable feeling for one of the most prestigious programs in the country.
Nick Saban, the unquestionable GOAT for head coaches in college football, is off to retirement. While he is still around to advise the Crimson Tide when necessary, the program is now in the hands of Kalen DeBoer after his quick ascent through the head coaching ranks of major college football.
While moving on from Saban produces some uneasiness, it’s not necessarily all bad for the program. In fact, ESPN’s Peter Burns made the claim on Friday’s broadcast of ESPN’s “Get Up” that the Crimson Tide will be in a better spot with DeBoer in charge for the long haul.
On the surface, the comment may seem blasphemous, but Burns believes DeBoer enters the picture better equipped to handle the new era of college football.
“As tough as it’s going to be for Alabama to replace Nick Saban, I think they’re going to be in a better spot because Nick Saban was there, the guy who coached college football 2.0. Before NIL took over, before the transfer portal. I don’t think he liked to play that game,” said Burns. “Kalen DeBoer is ready for that transition, Alabama is going to be in a better spot going forward.”
Harry Douglas did not quite go as far in the discussion, but he did say DeBoer just needs to put his own touch on the program while getting players to buy in.
“Put your own twinge on things, get those guys to buy into your culture and do things your way,” claimed Douglas.
Analyzing the claim
Let’s face it, it’s hard to believe that Alabama can come out of the loss of Saban better, even in the scenario of the modern era of college football. Even if one believes the legendary head coach did not want to partake in the aforementioned endeavors, he still led the Tide back to within a couple of plays of another national championship game appearance with a new starting quarterback.
The “long-term” part of the equation will remain a mystery for… well, until we reach enough time to label it the “long-term” portion of DeBoer’s tenure. What we can dissect is the immediate future and early work of DeBoer.
As for the 2024 season, Alabama maintains the 5th-best national championship odds behind Georgia, Ohio State, Texas and Oregon. While the Tide are not the favorites, they are right where you would want to be ahead of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Fans can track the latest odds and get the best offers with SDS’s real money betting apps.
As for recruiting, DeBoer has shown he and his staff have what it takes to keep the pipeline of NFL-caliber talent rolling into Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class currently ranks No. 2 in the country per the 247 Sports Team Composite, and the Tide have a trio of 5-star players already committed.
While Alabama is No. 2 overall, the average score of the recruiting class at 94.19 is the best in the country. As for the makeup of the class, the Tide hold pledges from a number of southeastern prospects along with players from California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Kansas, proving the reach of DeBoer and his staff at Alabama is indeed national.
The full tale of DeBoer’s tenure will not be known for some time, but his early work can instill a lot of confidence moving forward.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
