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Kalen DeBoer goes off on officiating crew vs. Tennessee, ESPN rules analyst backs him up

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•10/19/24•

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Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer talks with an official vs. Tennessee
© Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

With 1:43 to go in the third quarter of Saturday’s rivalry matchup, Kalen DeBoer was visibly upset with the officiating crew against Tennessee. It appeared the Volunteers subbed, meaning Alabama should’ve had the chance to do so, as well, according to ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin.

Tennessee had a group of players head toward the sideline, which is when two Crimson Tide players ran on to the field. However, the official didn’t signal substitutions were taking place, resulting in a penalty against Alabama.

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After looking at the replay, Austin said Alabama should’ve had time to substitute, as well. That’s why he backed up DeBoer for his response to the officials.

“The problem is, the referee never went into substitution mechanics,” Austin said on the ABC broadcast. “He never put his arms out in the iron cross to let the defense know that they now have time. So the coach is upset, he knows he should’ve had time to substitute. The referee wasn’t aware or wasn’t calling it a substitution, though he should’ve.

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“So I understand why the coach is upset. He would’ve had to send his players in to, I guess, prove the point that he should’ve had the chance to substitute.”

The reason the defense can answer after the offense substitutes is because the staff can see which 11 players are in for the play. Because Alabama couldn’t respond, Austin said DeBoer had a point with his frustration.

“That is a substitution,” Austin said. “So they should’ve been able to matchup. So I understand why he’s upset. … Correct, because you don’t know what 11 they’re going to send out until they get on the field.”

The drive proved to be a notable one. Shortly after the penalty, Nico Iamaleava threw a 55-yard deep ball to Dont’e Thornton to put Tennessee in prime scoring range. The Vols took advantage as Dylan Sampson ran in his second touchdown of the day to take a 14-10 lead as the third quarter started to wind down.

But Alabama didn’t back down. The Crimson Tide put together their own scoring drive to start the second quarter, capped by a Justice Haynes run to re-take a 17-14 lead.