🏈 What's next for Alabama after embarrassing Rose Bowl loss? Worst postseason effort warrants sweeping change

[rick4bama]

DeBoer was in the Pac-12 barely long enough to unpack his bags and have a cup of coffee. He didn't cut his teeth there. His philosophies are not rooted there. He specifically took the Bama job because he wanted a bigger challenge and he embraced the opportunity to follow Saban (when many others would shy away from it). If folks want to bang on his "style" of coaching that's fine. But a lot of the criticism I see and hear out there is just fans making assumptions about the guy that quite frankly miss the mark.

I asked this in another thread about why we didn't go after, now the Indiana coach at the time. Because he took a 3-8 team and in his first year took them to the playoff. I was told he didn't have the backing of his wins. Why do I think it was because he came from James Madison? He had one thing that C.D. didn't have. He coached under Saban that one thing to me out weight anything!

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Cignetti is still coaching players like it's 2010. He is their Boss and not their buddy.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I asked this in another thread about why we didn't go after, now the Indiana coach at the time. Because he took a 3-8 team and in his first year took them to the playoff. I was told he didn't have the backing of his wins. Why do I think it was because he came from James Madison? He had one thing that C.D. didn't have. He coached under Saban that one thing to me out weight anything!

Cignetti had already taken the IU job, but no, he wasn't on the radar anyway. And our fans would have melted down Chernobyl-style had Byrne made that hire and brought him in at the time. Yes, he's turned into a great coach, elite even. But other than him, nobody saw that coming. If we're being realistic, not even IU expected this level of success, or they'd have structured his contract differently from the start. And while we are having an honest moment here, let talk about his time at Alabama. Saban would have kept him around had he seen his potential too, instead he "encouraged" him to leave (as Saban does when he wants to make a change).

 

[rick4bama]

Cignetti had already taken the IU job, but no, he wasn't on the radar anyway. And our fans would have melted down Chernobyl-style had Byrne made that hire and brought him in at the time. Yes, he's turned into a great coach, elite even. But other than him, nobody saw that coming. If we're being realistic, not even IU expected this level of success, or they'd have structured his contract differently from the start. And while we are having an honest moment here, let talk about his time at Alabama. Saban would have kept him around had he seen his potential too, instead he "encouraged" him to leave (as Saban does when he wants to make a change).

Okay, thanks!

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Cignetti had already taken the IU job, but no, he wasn't on the radar anyway. And our fans would have melted down Chernobyl-style had Byrne made that hire and brought him in at the time. Yes, he's turned into a great coach, elite even. But other than him, nobody saw that coming. If we're being realistic, not even IU expected this level of success, or they'd have structured his contract differently from the start. And while we are having an honest moment here, let talk about his time at Alabama. Saban would have kept him around had he seen his potential too, instead he "encouraged" him to leave (as Saban does when he wants to make a change).

If I remember correctly, when Curt left Bama he was still under contract and was asked to payback his buyout. I have looked for articles so stating that, but I can' find any. Perhaps there was some bad blood between two West Virgina guys.

 

[94 Grad]

DeBoer was in the Pac-12 barely long enough to unpack his bags and have a cup of coffee. He didn't cut his teeth there. His philosophies are not rooted there. He specifically took the Bama job because he wanted a bigger challenge and he embraced the opportunity to follow Saban (when many others would shy away from it). If folks want to bang on his "style" of coaching that's fine. But a lot of the criticism I see and hear out there is just fans making assumptions about the guy that quite frankly miss the mark.

Has he coached long enough anywhere to say he’s cut his teeth?

1997 Sioux Falls (WR)
1998–1999 Washington HS (SD) (assistant)
2000–2004 Sioux Falls (OC)
2005–2009 Sioux Falls
2010–2013 Southern Illinois (OC/WR)
2014–2016 Eastern Michigan (OC/QB)
2017–2018 Fresno State (OC/QB)
2019 Indiana (OC/QB)
2020–2021 Fresno State
2022–2023 Washington
2024–present Alabama

Now asking chatGPT his coaching style you get:
• Pass-first, timing offense: His systems emphasize route precision, spacing, and quarterback decision-making.
• Scheme over brute force: He leans on formations, motion, and matchup creation rather than just overpowering opponents.
• Explosive efficiency: At Washington, his offenses thrived on chunk plays and elite QB–WR chemistry instead of constant grinding drives.

Ask the same about Saban:
• Physical dominance: Built on controlling the line of scrimmage, tackling, and wearing teams down.
• Defense-first mentality: Even as offenses evolved, Saban teams were anchored by elite defensive standards.
• “The Process”: Obsessive attention to details, repetition, accountability, and mental toughness.
• No scheme loyalty: He changed offenses repeatedly (ground-and-pound → spread → RPO → explosive passing) but never compromised physicality.

So… to emphasize again, I’m not a fire Deboer guy. I’m not even against his style of coaching… I’m just not used to it yet.

However, this is what he was when we hired him so I don’t think we should have expected anything different. I’m fine to give him time to see where this goes. I don’t feel he’s done a bad job… but also not sold his style of coaching will do well to n the sec either.

 

[rick4bama]

Kill them all and let God separate them! Oh! Wait, sorry I was thinking of something else!

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Has he coached long enough anywhere to say he’s cut his teeth?

1997 Sioux Falls (WR)
1998–1999 Washington HS (SD) (assistant)
2000–2004 Sioux Falls (OC)
2005–2009 Sioux Falls
2010–2013 Southern Illinois (OC/WR)
2014–2016 Eastern Michigan (OC/QB)
2017–2018 Fresno State (OC/QB)
2019 Indiana (OC/QB)
2020–2021 Fresno State
2022–2023 Washington
2024–present Alabama

Now asking chatGPT his coaching style you get:
• Pass-first, timing offense: His systems emphasize route precision, spacing, and quarterback decision-making.
• Scheme over brute force: He leans on formations, motion, and matchup creation rather than just overpowering opponents.
• Explosive efficiency: At Washington, his offenses thrived on chunk plays and elite QB–WR chemistry instead of constant grinding drives.

Ask the same about Saban:
• Physical dominance: Built on controlling the line of scrimmage, tackling, and wearing teams down.
• Defense-first mentality: Even as offenses evolved, Saban teams were anchored by elite defensive standards.
• “The Process”: Obsessive attention to details, repetition, accountability, and mental toughness.
• No scheme loyalty: He changed offenses repeatedly (ground-and-pound → spread → RPO → explosive passing) but never compromised physicality.

So… to emphasize again, I’m not a fire Deboer guy. I’m not even against his style of coaching… I’m just not used to it yet.

However, this is what he was when we hired him so I don’t think we should have expected anything different. I’m fine to give him time to see where this goes. I don’t feel he’s done a bad job… but also not sold his style of coaching will do well to n the sec either.

I’d argue he cut his teeth is South Dakota, where he spent a decade coaching at Sioux Falls and won 3 NAIA titles in 5 years as HC (and played for a 4th).

As for as the last bit re: his style of coaching… I agree. Jury is out on if it’ll ultimately succeed to reasonable Bama-type levels in the SEC. But the keywords there are reasonable and ultimately. I’d also add, Saban thought well enough of his offensive style that he offered Grubb the OC position before turning to Rees.

 

[Secondand26]

I’d argue he cut his teeth is South Dakota, where he spent a decade coaching at Sioux Falls and won 3 NAIA titles in 5 years as HC (and played for a 4th).

As for as the last bit re: his style of coaching… I agree. Jury is out on if it’ll ultimately succeed to reasonable Bama-type levels in the SEC. But the keywords there are reasonable and ultimately. I’d also add, Saban thought well enough of his offensive style that he offered Grubb the OC position before turning to Rees.

Look, don’t be cluttering this board with FACTS!

 

[BamaFan334]

I prefer questions like why the hell @BamaFan334 and @TerryP like Hey Dudes shoes.

Ha, not me. That's a level of "I don't give a shit" I haven't reached yet.

 

[mando]

DeBoer was in the Pac-12 barely long enough to unpack his bags and have a cup of coffee. He didn't cut his teeth there. His philosophies are not rooted there. He specifically took the Bama job because he wanted a bigger challenge and he embraced the opportunity to follow Saban (when many others would shy away from it). If folks want to bang on his "style" of coaching that's fine. But a lot of the criticism I see and hear out there is just fans making assumptions about the guy that quite frankly miss the mark.

Your assessment of the physicality of CKD coached teams the last two years at Bama? I assume you agree they are not what they will have to be to play at an elite level. Why is there a physicality issue? CKD is getting paid a lot to figure it out.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

I’d argue he cut his teeth is South Dakota, where he spent a decade coaching at Sioux Falls and won 3 NAIA titles in 5 years as HC (and played for a 4th).

As for as the last bit re: his style of coaching… I agree. Jury is out on if it’ll ultimately succeed to reasonable Bama-type levels in the SEC. But the keywords there are reasonable and ultimately. I’d also add, Saban thought well enough of his offensive style that he offered Grubb the OC position before turning to Rees.

What is this guy actually bringing to the table?

How much better did Alabama get in 2025? It’s a fine line

Alabama declined statistically in several metrics from 2024 to 2025.

247sports.com

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

What is this guy actually bringing to the table?

How much better did Alabama get in 2025? It’s a fine line

Alabama declined statistically in several metrics from 2024 to 2025.

247sports.com

A better way to ask is how does DeBoer make a team better as a head coach. Pretend he was just hired.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

DeBoer was in the Pac-12 barely long enough to unpack his bags and have a cup of coffee. He didn't cut his teeth there. His philosophies are not rooted there. He specifically took the Bama job because he wanted a bigger challenge and he embraced the opportunity to follow Saban (when many others would shy away from it). If folks want to bang on his "style" of coaching that's fine. But a lot of the criticism I see and hear out there is just fans making assumptions about the guy that quite frankly miss the mark.

Yeah.....maybe so....
But a lot of people see what is being shown... highest of highs...lowest of lows...
Coaching style...wrong assistants...wrong group of players...just better opponents...?
I dont know


Fans just pissed n hurt....about some of these piss poor showings....about not being competitive even...being soft...
I dont know what style of coaching is....a Saban n being a tough demanding SOB...or KD..with ice cream breaks and painted fingernails... .
Sure both styles are effective......
Me n s50+ have different styles of dealing with children...both are effective...

I remember Perkins and his tough ass show ...didn't sit well with fans.

 

[Justneedme81]

Yeah.....maybe so....
But a lot of people see what is being shown... highest of highs...lowest of lows...
Coaching style...wrong assistants...wrong group of players...just better opponents...?
I dont know


Fans just pissed n hurt....about some of these piss poor showings....about not being competitive even...being soft...
I dont know what style of coaching is....a Saban n being a tough demanding SOB...or KD..with ice cream breaks and painted fingernails... .
Sure both styles are effective......
Me n s50+ have different styles of dealing with children...both are effective...

I remember Perkins and his tough ass show ...didn't sit well with fans.

Scanning the bama boards ... And I'm seeing the same topic and this is my takeaway:

Alabama fans are inpatient and whining like a toddler because coaching changes aren't happening fast enough for them.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Scanning the bama boards ... And I'm seeing the same topic and this is my takeaway:

Alabama fans are inpatient and whining like a toddler because coaching changes aren't happening fast enough for them.

A company fails...stockholders want heads to roll...
Is that whining or demanding accountability

 

[Justneedme81]

A company fails...stockholders want heads to roll...
Is that whining or demanding accountability

Apples to oranges...

It's simple. If a logical reason is presented and yet people struggle to understand the process, as simple it is ...then it becomes user error on their end. Who's fault is it for not taking the time to process everything?!

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Apples to oranges...

It's simple. If a logical reason is presented and yet people struggle to understand the process, as simple it is ...then it becomes user error on their end. Who's fault is it for not taking the time to process everything?!

Its definitely reactionary. It really doesnt effect their everyday life....even if they think itt does....
Its not like getting divorced...getting fired...a death...
Its simple....a sporting event.....
Within a couple weeks...everyones team that won...will lose...but one...and they become reactionary....

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Apples to oranges...

It's simple. If a logical reason is presented and yet people struggle to understand the process, as simple it is ...then it becomes user error on their end. Who's fault is it for not taking the time to process everything?!

The optimize will point out that
Bama was regular season sec champs...( mentioned in basketball)
Bama was ranked in top 4 for a lot of season
Bama beat main rivals...AU n TN ( would have got Shula a lifetime contract)
Bama beat UGA at UGA..giving them first loss at uga in million years
Bama qb was #1 on heisman board for half ? Of season

Pessimist will say...
All other stuff

 

[ElephantStomp]

DeBoer was in the Pac-12 barely long enough to unpack his bags and have a cup of coffee. He didn't cut his teeth there. His philosophies are not rooted there. He specifically took the Bama job because he wanted a bigger challenge and he embraced the opportunity to follow Saban (when many others would shy away from it). If folks want to bang on his "style" of coaching that's fine. But a lot of the criticism I see and hear out there is just fans making assumptions about the guy that quite frankly miss the mark.

I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I really like DeBoer and think he’ll be successful at UA and think he already has been.