Anonymous SEC coach names big concern for Alabama under Kalen DeBoer
By Adam Spencer
Published:
It was always going to be tough for Kalen DeBoer to replace a legend like Nick Saban.
Saban won 6 national championships with the Alabama Crimson Tide (and another one earlier in his career at LSU). Even after 9-4 and 11-4 records in 2024 and 2025, respectively, which included a College Football Playoff berth and Round 1 win over Oklahoma last season, the pressure is on for DeBoer in Year 3.
One thing he can do to keep pressure off himself? According to an anonymous SEC coach quoted in an Athlon Sports piece this week, limiting big losses would be a big help:
Double-digit [point] losses were never a thing [under Saban]. Now, they’re a thing. That creates concern, talking points and narratives, which is tough to deal with because the players see it.
Indeed, of Alabama’s 4 losses in 2025, 3 came by double-digits. That includes a 35-point beatdown at the hands of eventual-champion Indiana in the Rose Bowl and a 21-point loss to Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game. In 2024, only 1 of the Tide’s 4 losses came by 10+ points (a 24-3 thumping at Oklahoma).
Still, that’s 4 losses by 10 or more points for DeBoer in 2 seasons. The coach is correct that it’s something the Tide need to fix in a hurry this fall.
Will Alabama make the Playoff again this fall? Kalshi gives the Crimson Tide a 47% chance to make the field of 12:
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Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
