Kalen DeBoer needs to turn things around quickly in Tuscaloosa.
The Alabama coach’s future is already uncertain following a rocky start to the season for the Crimson Tide.
DeBoer’s beginning has been marked by pressure, especially as he steps into the considerable legacy left by Nick Saban, who retired about a year and a half ago.
“If Nick Saban reviews the tape, he might push some of these players off the team. It’s that troubling,” noted Dan Orlovsky during Monday’s “Get Up” on ESPN.
The issues at Alabama appear manageable. The defense’s effort and angles seem lacking, which is surprising.
Florida State maintained control throughout their matchup, scoring 24 consecutive points after Alabama initially found the end zone on their first drive.
DeBoer was brought in after an impressive run at Washington, where he led them to the national title game. Last year, however, Alabama secured a 9-3 record but missed out on the expanded playoffs and lost to Oklahoma late in the season. They also fell to Michigan in the Lerie Quest Bowl.
Such a season might be tolerable elsewhere, but not at Alabama, especially after Saban’s six national titles over two decades.
“It’s not about the talent; it’s about control,” Orlovsky remarked. “Can we honestly say DeBoer can make it through September? Watching the tape, they seem to lack the spirit that Saban instilled. When it comes to drive and resilience, they appear diminished.”
There have been rumors around Saban, now 73, considering a return to coaching, although he denies it.
Saban is currently working as a commentator for ESPN’s College Gameday.
As for DeBoer, he’s gearing up to lead the Crimson Tide against Louisiana Monroe and Wisconsin before facing an early SEC challenge with Georgia.
