Paul Finebaum: Kalen DeBoer did 'everything right' at SEC Media Days, 'still lost'
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer didn’t necessarily do anything wrong at SEC Media Days. However, he still lost, according to ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum.
During First Take Monday morning, Finebaum declared that Nick Saban stole the show while working as an analyst for the SEC Network.
Saban’s performance overshadowed Kalen DeBoer and everyone else, according to Finebaum.
“Kalen DeBoer did everything right last week at SEC Media Days, and he still lost. He lost to Nick Saban, who was there for the media. … Because Saban just stole the show from every single person, including Kalen DeBoer,” Finebaum said.
Saban did an excellent job previewing the upcoming SEC season, breaking down strengths and weaknesses of teams throughout the week.
His performance as an analyst was so impressive that it kept anyone else from standing out, meaning that DeBoer did not create any kind of a splash.
“I mean, I wondered out loud through the week was [Kalen DeBoer] even here, because he’s a nice personality, he’s charming, he’s low key. But you’re right. He’s not Nick Saban,” Finebaum said. “And if he doesn’t get to the playoffs next year, most Alabama fans and most of us in the media are going to consider the season a complete and total bust.
“That may sound unfair, but it’s the reality. He had the credentials. He got the job. Now, if he doesn’t get there, it’s going to be a failure. And by the way, he has a mulligan. The mulligan, this year, get to the playoff. After that, you better start winning some championships.”
Stephen A Smith discusses pressure Kalen DeBoer is under
Paul Finebaum isn’t the only person who believes Kalen DeBoer faces plenty of pressure entering Year 1 with Alabama. ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith also spoke about the expectations for DeBoer Monday morning on First Take.
“He’s under immense pressure, but it’s not to win a championship this year. It’s to maintain a level of relevancy that I would say College Football Playoffs,” Smith said. “I understand Georgia is in there. I understand Texas is in there. I get all of that. But dammit you succeeded Nick Saban, and you’re not some novice that’s being promoted and elevated now that your former head coach Nick Saban has stepped away.
“No, you’re Kalen DeBoer – Pac-12 Coach of the Year both seasons at Washington, 25-3 in two seasons, career percentage, 90 percent of the games he’s won. … We’re looking at you and expecting you to make some noise and to be right there challenging a Georgia.”