Know how parents often buy shoes that are a size too big for their kids, hoping they don’t grow out of them? Well what if they don’t grow into them in the first place? You’re left with a dangly shoe that can come off at any inopportune moment. This serves as an allegory for what Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer is going through. He had big shoes to fill when he took over from Nick Saban. Shoes that nobody expected to fit snug right away. A year has passed, and there’s expectation of a natural progression. As DeBoer prepares to trudge along Tuscaloosa in year 2, a couple of insiders and football savants fear the proverbial shoe may indeed come off. Stopping him in his tracks prematurely.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Kalen DeBoer did choose to succeed the greatest coach ever at a blueblood program that’s in the midst of a dynastic run. A grace period was requisite though, and the Bama faithful obliged. A 9-win season is far from bad. But success is relative, and the bar is quite high when you’re donning that crimson red. Now that DeBoer has his feet wet and his Washington OC Ryan Grubb by his side, the pressure to deliver ramps up. Asking him to deliver hardware would be a little too rich, even borderline delusional. So what sort of checkpoint does Kalen DeBoer need to breach in year 2 in order to keep the Bama brass, and more importantly the fans, by his side? Jimmy Stein of the “Locked on Alabama” podcast urges him to reach a particular number in the W column.
Not to flare up the PTSD of Bama fans, but harp back to Selection Sunday 2024. The Tide almost had enough thrust behind it to make it into the playoffs. Alas, they were left on the periphery with a couple other SEC contemporaries. So DeBoer’s natural progression seems fairly straightforward. Get 1 more win, and make it from the bubble into the actual playoff field. That’s what Stein believes will keep the fans at bay- seeing an upward trajectory. However, Jimmy Stein also aired concern around the potential wrath Kalen DeBoer will be subjected to if he fails to reach this goal. Guesting on the “Locked on College Football” podcast, host Spencer McLaughlin confronted him about DeBoer’s future. “Alabama fans are putting a certain line on ‘You have to be [winning 10 games] or else you should be gone.’ Is that a crazy take to you?” asked McLaughlin.
“No, especially from the fan perspective.” replied Stein. “If Alabama doesn’t make the playoffs again, I think most- or many- Alabama fans will be off the bandwagon and things will start getting loud,” The premise of the discussion assumed 10-2 will be enough to get you through. Jimmy Stein acknowledged how a $66 million buyout in DeBoer’s contract means the decision-makers could have their hands tied. Especially with revenue sharing around the corner. But he raised how not having fans in support of the head coach will affect NIL funding and revenue. Meaning their sentiment does hold weight. “I think making the playoffs is just imperative, or there will be a lot of fan heat…In this new era, you’re sort of dependent on fans, to some extent, to help pay the players. You’ve got to have fan support, or things can get sort of messy” he said.
Stein and McLaughlin proceeded to discuss the elephant in the room. The paramount conundrum weighing on Kalen DeBoer. A fork in the road that will dictate how 2025 transpires for Bama and his future with them. In a twisted yet fitting way, the biggest factor of whether or not DeBoer does survive the frying pan is a decision in his own hands. Whom he picks as his starting quarterback. 3 contenders are in the fray- Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Stein leveraged his thoughts on the same, and when he expects an official announcement about the QB1 shirt.
Kalen DeBoer’s future directly tied to which QB he lands on
Prior to spring camp, the feeling was that Ty Simpson will be atop the quarterback depth chart. He’s paid his dues, sitting patiently in the wins for 3 years getting ready for his opportunity. A 5-star recruit, he’s got the tools in his repertoire too. Kalen DeBoer’s offensive enterprise seemed to have its focal point sorted. However, word out of Tuscaloosa is that Austin Mack has thrown a spanner in the works. Pete Nakos of On3 reports Austin Mack “has been turning heads in spring practice and is a serious contender for the starting job,” It’s noteworthy that Mack was with Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb at Washington. Meaning he does possess a pre-existing knowledge of Grubb’s system and schemes.
Not to forget, true freshman Keelon Russell is a stud in his own right. In fact, he’s more than just a stud- he’s the highest rated recruit in Alabama history. The Gatorade National POTY. For a program that’s seen more 5-stars than downtown LA, that’s telling. Plus, WR Ryan Williams’ own performances as a true freshman lends into the belief Russell can be trusted with the keys to the operation. Russell does project as somebody who’s physically ready, and won’t be fazed by the bright lights at the Bryant-Denny.
With all this baked in, Jimmy Stein came to the decision that things remain very much up in the air. He firmly believes this is a 3-way battle right up till fall. However, Stein did mention who he thinks will start Week 1. “Don’t think there’s going to be some sort of bold announcement or proclamation. I think a major goal that Alabama is going to have this summer is to keep all three guys on the roster. If you say someone’s a starter, you’re going to worry one of them or the other two will leave [via the transfer portal” he said.
“A lot of people forget, because of the shiny new toy concept with Keelon Russell being brand new to campus. [But] Ty Simpson was a 5-star also!…Ty’s got a great arm. He’s a plus athlete, and he’s now going into year 4. I think Ty would have to be the betting favorite to at least be the quarterback in the opener against Florida State…but Keelon Russell and Austin Mack are extremely gifted kids and there is a legitimate competition.” added Jimmy Stein. Kalen DeBoer isn’t in an envious position here. But working through dilemma’s like this is why he’s paid the big bucks. The QB he lands on will be the first, most crucial domino in his sophomore year in Tuscaloosa. He’ll hope the remainder of spring right up to fall makes the decision more linear. There’s a lot riding on it.
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