2025 is all about redemption for Kalen DeBoer, and he can’t let a single pothole derail his chances of natty this year. Look, with spring practice wrapped up, college football enters into offseason mode, a period DeBoer approaches with calm resolve. His summer agenda for his squad is pretty clear: take one step at a time and avoid the steady trap. Last year, he walked into a new system and landed in a tricky position, but now, it’s his field. He can’t let Alabama land another 9-4 season without a playoff run, right? Especially now, when analysts and fans are finally showing faith in him. As CBS recently ranked him a top-10 coach—a ranking he intends to justify and he’s all in for it.
But what’s this no stress-out agenda? As Alabama heads into a crucial offseason, Kalen DeBoer made it clear on Greg McElroy’s Always College Football podcast that he doesn’t want his players to burn themselves out in heavy workouts. Earlier this week, Alabama quarterbacks Austin Mack, Keelon Russell, and Ty Simpson, along with Derek Meadows, Isaiah Horton, Germie Bernard, and Rico Scott, trained with Geno Smith and NFL wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Dont’e Thornton Jr. While DeBoer acknowledges the benefits of offseason training, he stresses the importance of caution.
And he didn’t sugarcoat his words before making his offseason plan clear for all his entire team and especially for his WRs. “It’s just a matter of time that it takes to learn the system,” DeBoer said. He wants his players fully committed to Alabama’s intense training regime, especially with a new group of quarterbacks and no set starting quarterback, as the summer is going to be tough on them. “We’ve cautioned them not to do too much (on their own) because this summer is going to be as hard as any one they’ve ever been through. … [They also need to know] what to work on,” DeBoer added.
Look, Kalen DeBoer is not just lowering the offseason load on the players but also writing his own playbook this season. How? We all know Alabama QB competition is a three-headed race between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell, and DeBoer isn’t planning on waiting until the last minute like Nick Saban to make his choice. That’s true; he’s not going to watch them for the first couple of games, but will name this season’s starter before week one.
“There’s been roughly a similar kind of timeframe throughout fall camp. The last week and a half,” DeBoer said. “We usually have a little bit longer phase of bonus practices leading up to Week 1. There’s a weekend before and a few days before that. That’s kind of when you really, for sure, like to have the starter named and him to be able to start really being in sync with his receiving corps, gelling that way and really piling on the reps. But if you feel like you’re at that point earlier, maybe a week earlier.” Looks like Kalen DeBoer already has a name in his mind.
This season is all about reloading for Kalen DeBoer, and he plans on constructing the roster heading into 2025. How? “We’re going to build our program with our freshman class, which I’m really excited about,” DeBoer said. “The signees. We’re going to retain and develop the guys we have here and fill in the areas that need some numbers or need to be a little bit better on the football field on Saturdays. That’s a fluid thing, and I feel like communication is where it all starts.” Fans can’t stop buzzing about the mindset DeBoer brings to the table, especially his no-stress policy this summer, as their plan to win is locked in.
Fans buzzing over Kalen DeBoer’s offseason agenda
When Kalen DeBoer dropped his second summer statement, Alabama fans erupted. One fan posted a GIF, captioned “That’s what I’m talking about,” as if DeBoer had just delivered exactly what they needed. Let’s be real: after a horrifying season ending with a loss against a team like Michigan, things got ugly real fast, Kalen DeBoer. But his bold and assertive offseason layout signaled Alabama’s offseason wasn’t about complacency but focused effort.
And then the Kalen DeBoer hype train started. Another fan called it “music to our ears,” a sentiment echoed throughout the fanbase. After a turbulent transition year, fans finally feel the rhythm of a coach who isn’t just managing but leading with purpose. DeBoer isn’t controlling effort; he’s guiding it. His “don’t overdo it, but know what to do” advice resonated perfectly.
Then came the reality check for all the critics that made things worse for Kalen DeBoer: “Guess he wasn’t really able to do this last season without everyone transferring.” This fan nailed it—DeBoer spent last year walking a tightrope. One misstep, and Alabama could have lost many players; that’s precisely what occurred—23 players left via the spring transfer portal. He needed to be subtle to keep everyone on board. But despite the setbacks, he is building a strong team with the players who are still standing right beside him.
But this fan’s perspective hit on something all of us often missed: “Yeah, I don’t think we really know how tough that transition was.” They’re right—following Nick Saban’s footsteps isn’t just hard; it’s intensely pressurizing. And Kalen DeBoer didn’t just inherit Saban’s program; he had to earn the team’s trust in a system someone else built. Now, in Year 2, he’s running things his way.
This fan sums it up perfectly: “I do think he had to do a bit of hand-holding to keep players in, and now he has players locked in for him.” That’s the key change. DeBoer isn’t coaxing loyalty anymore—he commands it. His leadership fuels the locker room. This allows him to push harder, increase practice intensity, and lead with complete ownership. Fans recognize this—and they appreciate it.
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