Analyzing Alabama's expectations in Year 1 under Kalen DeBoer

All eyes will be on Kalen DeBoer next season as he’ll look to maintain the unprecedented standard set by Nick Saban in his first year at the helm for Alabama.

There’s no question that Saban likely left the biggest shoes ever to fill for DeBoer following his retirement in January, boasting a 201–29 record with the Crimson Tide along with six national championships and nine conference titles. But what should be the realistic expectations for DeBoer in his first season at the helm in Tuscaloosa?

On3’s Andy Staples answered that exact question on his most recent episode of Andy Staples On3.

“I think Alabama can compete for the SEC title, Alabama’s roster is still very good,” Staples said. “Yes they lose Caleb Downs, yes they lost Kadyn Proctor, but they didn’t lose a lot of other players who they expected to be starters.”

The Crimson Tide lost 28 players to the transfer portal this offseason following Saban’s retirement. But Staples believes the talent they’ve retained paired with what DeBoer has brought in and can continue to bring in through the transfer portal still sets Alabama up for success in 2024.

“And then Kalen DeBoer brought guys from Washington and other places who can fit right in. Keon Sabb you just saw come from Michigan, he’s probably gonna plug right in and play,” Staples explained. “So Alabama probably shopping a little bit in the post-spring portal, which means they’re shopping outside the SEC, but it’s a very good roster.”

A talent roster paired with DeBoer’s track record seems like a recipe for success, boasting an impressive 104-12 record as a head coach between his time at Washington, Fresno State, and NAIA powerhouse Sioux Falls.

There’s no question that the Alabama head coaching job will be his tallest task yet, especially considering the lofty expectations, the competitiveness of the SEC, and the fact that DeBoer has never coached in the South during his career. But regardless, Staples is confident that year one can still be a success for the Crimson Tide and their new head man.

“It’s a roster that can compete with the likes of Georgia, and Texas, and LSU, and Texas A&M. It’s gonna be tough, but when’s the SEC not tough?” Staples asked. “So I think we can no longer assume Alabama will be dominant because we have’t seen Kalen DeBoer coaching them yet. But I do think we can see 10 wins, 11 wins, an SEC Championship game birth. None of that stuff’s off the table. Just because Nick Saban retired, none of it’s off the table.”