Paul Finebaum: 'Kalen DeBoer has done a spectacular job succeeding the GOAT,' primed to make CFP

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has Paul Finebaum’s stamp of approval. During an appearance on “Get Up” on Monday, the SEC analyst praised DeBoer for how he’s taken the baton from legendary coach Nick Saban.

“This has been the worst six months of my life without Nick Saban. I wanted to get that off my chest as we began the college football season,” Finebaum said with a smile. “But Kalen DeBoer has done a spectacular job of succeeding the GOAT. For a day or two, it was iffy, and then he put a great staff together, superb people in line.

“In some ways, I think his offensive coordinator is better than what he had last year, which wasn’t very good. And you can ask Nick about that later. But in terms of recruiting, he has been outstanding, elite — Nick Saban-like recruiting. He’s in control of this program and I think Alabama is very well-primed to go back to the playoffs.”

DeBoer began the Crimson Tide’s new era with a fresh staff. In DeBoer’s debut campaign at the helm, Alabama will have a new offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, along with unfamiliar faces in many other roles.

The coaching staff isn’t the only area the program saw a makeover. Due to the coaching turnover, Alabama lost 34 players to the transfer portal during the offseason. However, DeBoer didn’t accept defeat, adding 13 players, as well.

Moreover, DeBoer immediately hit the recruiting trail, securing win after win for the Crimson Tide. As of this report, Alabama boasts the No. 1 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle, headlined by a nation-high four five-star prospects.

Kalen DeBoer is thankful for Nick Saban’s mentorship

Of course, it’s easy to succeed arguably the greatest college football coach of all time when he’s still around to help. During an appearance on “The Jim Rome Show,” Kalen DeBoer revealed how helpful Saban has been during the transitional period.

“He’s been amazing,” DeBoer said. “He’s just been so respectful in every way. I’m trying to continue to remind him that I’m great with him being around the program. That these guys are guys that he recruited for the most part here. And for them to see him, it still means a lot to them as well. He’s just been so respectful trying to allow me still make it mine.

“He’s just down the road and so, and been over there a couple times. Of course, talked to him on the phone as well. And he’s just a great resource. And you know there’s some more questions that I even have before the season kicks off. And some things you’ve gotta be ready for as we go through the year, but he’s just been amazing all those ways.”