Four years without a national championship in Tuscaloosa feels like an eternity—and for the Alabama Crimson Tide, it’s a full-blown crisis. The weight of expectations isn’t just heavy; it’s suffocating. But second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer isn’t running from it. In fact, he’s leaning in, gearing up for a 2025 season that could define his legacy and restore Alabama to its rightful place atop college football.
“We fell short of making the playoffs. It’s as simple as that, right?” DeBoer said at SEC Media Days. “Giving yourself a chance to go compete for a championship—that’s the standard.”
Let’s be real—when you follow Nick Saban, the GOAT himself, every move gets dissected under a microscope. Saban didn’t just win titles—six of them since 2009—he built a dynasty. And when that dynasty slips, even just a bit, the fan base starts getting antsy. DeBoer’s inaugural 9-4 season in 2024? Not cutting it by Alabama standards. Missing the College Football Playoff? A hard pill to swallow.
And the players feel it too.
The Players Are Hungry and Locked In
Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor didn’t mince words when asked how the team feels heading into 2025.
“For the whole team, honestly, we know we haven’t won a championship in a long time,” he said. “That’s everybody’s goal at the end of the season.”
That sense of urgency is exactly what DeBoer wants to hear. A 5-3 SEC record, losses on the road at Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, and a lackluster showing in the ReliaQuest Bowl (a 19-13 defeat to Michigan) painted a picture of a team still trying to find its identity post-Saban. The Tide finished No. 17 in the final AP Top 25—a number that wouldn’t have even registered during the Saban era.
But inside the locker room, something’s shifted. There’s a new belief bubbling up.
“You definitely see guys who are bought in,” said defensive lineman Tim Keenan. “If they’re not here anymore, no knock to them. But the ones who stayed, they believe in Coach DeBoer.”
Keenan’s voice carried more than just confidence—it carried loyalty.
“I know a lot of people say they want to follow Saban, but they ain’t got the courage to do it,” Keenan continued. “So I’m gonna go hard for my coach, always.”
That type of backing doesn’t come easy, especially when you're the guy replacing a legend. But it signals that the players believe in more than just the system—they believe in the man running it.
Building Continuity and Trust: The DeBoer Formula
Here’s the deal—DeBoer isn’t starting from scratch. He brought with him a pedigree that includes leading Washington to the national championship game in 2023. And now, he’s doubled down on building a culture in Tuscaloosa that mirrors that success, with familiar faces like Ryan Grubb joining him as offensive coordinator after a stint with the Seattle Seahawks.
Grubb, who was part of DeBoer’s Washington staff, brings an aggressive, modern approach to the Tide’s offense—something they sorely lacked at times in 2024. The hope? That increased familiarity among the coaching staff will finally click into rhythm this fall.
“It’s about continuity,” DeBoer explained. “We’ve really had a great offseason understanding where we fell short—why we fell short. Not just the what and the how, but the why.”
Let’s pause on that for a second. The “why” is everything. It’s easy to say “we didn’t execute” or “we lost close games.” But DeBoer is going deeper, zeroing in on belief, confidence, and situational execution—things that championship programs thrive on.
“We’ve got to be better in the big moments,” he emphasized. “We lost some close games last year. Whether it was belief or confidence, that stuff comes through reps.”
And Alabama’s had plenty of reps this offseason. The message? Learn, adjust, grow—and most importantly, finish.
Redemption Tour: 2025 Is the Proving Ground
With expectations sky-high once again, DeBoer knows there’s no room for moral victories. A second straight year missing the College Football Playoff could spell more than just disappointment—it could stir doubts about the future of the program under his command.
But if you’re expecting DeBoer to flinch, think again.
“I believe God put the right person in the right place at the right time,” Keenan said. “He’s in the right place.”
That sentiment is starting to echo throughout the program. Alabama isn’t just chasing wins—they’re chasing identity. And under DeBoer, it’s starting to form around grit, unity, and yes, redemption.
Let’s not forget: this isn’t just about DeBoer’s personal legacy—it’s about re-establishing Alabama as the alpha dog of the SEC. Georgia, Michigan, and even Texas have all had their turns at the spotlight. Now, the Tide want theirs back.
What to Watch in 2025
If you’re a college football fan, keep your eyes on these key storylines as Alabama enters the 2025 season:
🔥 Revenge Games: Circle matchups against Tennessee and Oklahoma—those 2024 losses still sting. DeBoer and his staff will be out for redemption.
🔥 Offensive Revamp: With Grubb at OC, expect a more explosive and unpredictable Tide offense. Watch for standout performances from young receivers and a revamped run game.
🔥 Locker Room Leadership: Proctor and Keenan are stepping into vocal leadership roles, and their influence could help define this team’s identity.
🔥 Playoff-or-Bust Mentality: Anything less than a CFP berth will be viewed as failure. That pressure could either break this team—or forge it into something unstoppable.
Final Thoughts: The Tide Are Turning
There’s something about a program with its back against the wall that makes college football so captivating. Alabama—once feared, recently doubted—is coming back with a chip on its shoulder. Kalen DeBoer might not be Nick Saban, but he doesn’t have to be. What he does need to be is himself—and that version seems ready to restore the standard in 2025.
“We’re excited about taking those next steps,” DeBoer said. “When we get in those moments this year—those critical times—we’ll come through.”
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