USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer believes Alabama can’t do better than Kalen DeBoer, despite the coach losing eight games through his first two seasons in 2024 and 2025. Toppmeyer shared this assessment during the latest edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered.”
Toppmeyer and co-host John Adams dismissed talk of DeBoer being on the hot seat. They pointed to DeBoer’s recent contract extension as proof Alabama won’t look to replace him soon.
“(The extension) puts the kibosh on any hot-seat talk. This reaffirms DeBoer is Alabama’s guy, and the administration believes in him. On one hand, Alabama’s Rose Bowl loss served as an embarrassing end to DeBoer’s second season. On the other hand, could Alabama do better than DeBoer if he left or it decided to replace him? I doubt it,” Toppmeyer said.
DeBoer faced rumors linking him to the Michigan Wolverines head coaching position. The job eventually went to Kyle Whittingham after Sherone Moore’s departure.
The rumors never gained traction but may have increased DeBoer’s buyout figure.
It’s encouraging that Alabama has a coach Michigan wanted. But it might signal the decline of two programs less than a decade removed from their last national championships.
Alabama’s Championship Era Has Ended
The championship years in Tuscaloosa are finished. Calling DeBoer the best option available marks the end of an era.
The only scenario for Alabama’s return to dominance would involve bringing Nick Saban back.
That looks increasingly unlikely. Saban has repeatedly said he’s enjoying retirement and that his wife doesn’t want him returning to coaching.
Saban isn’t coming back. At this point, would Lane Kiffin even consider Alabama? The LSU Tigers appear more committed to spending and have better resources for building a championship team. Many SEC schools now have advantages over Alabama.
Alabama’s dominance is over. DeBoer isn’t seen as a fallback option the program is settling for.
He’s viewed as the best coach Alabama can realistically get.
