Paul Finebaum has an eye-opening take on Kalen DeBoer’s future

Kalen DeBoer’s seat may have warmed up quickly in Tuscaloosa. SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum believes the Alabama Crimson Tide head coach will be under fire after a disappointing first season.

Appearing in the “Matt Barrie Show,” Finebaum spoke about DeBoer’s outlook for 2025. The former Washington Huskies head coach took over for Nick Saban before the 2024 season.

“I believe very firmly Kalen DeBoer is on a scorching hot seat," Finebaum said. "Now, you can say, ‘What does that mean?’ I’ll tell you what I think it means. It means he is under a microscope. It was playoff or bust this year, and he went bust.

“The only way to scrap that all away was to win a bowl game against a lousy team, which Michigan was all but one game this season, and he couldn’t do it. And the way they lost, it was horrifying to watch."

Alabama finished with a 9-4 season and a ReliaQuest Bowl loss to an unranked and undermanned Michigan squad. The Tide was also shut out of the College Football Playoff after finishing one spot below SMU in the CFP poll.

Finebaum said fans are upset about the offensive struggles the team endured toward the end of the season. Despite having quarterback Jalen Milroe and wide receiver Ryan Williams among other offensive weapons, the Crimson Tide lost 24-3 to Oklahoma in late November.

The ReliaQuest Bowl may have been worse for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. Michigan, despite not having their top three defensive players, manhandled the Bama offense. Milroe completed 50% of his passes for 192 yards and had three turnovers.

With a different quarterback, there might not be a lot of patience if the offense doesn’t click at the start of the 2025 season. As for the defense, DeBoer has already made changes to his staff.

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama, a reflection of a down year at the SEC

Jalen Milroe and Alabama lost a bowl game to Michigan for the second straight year. - Source: Imagn

Perhaps making an impact on the perception of Kalen DeBoer is the fact that the Southeastern Conference underperformed compared to its lofty expectations.

Despite having Texas in the CFP Semifinals, no team impressed in 2024. With some of its best teams, like Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina losing their bowl games, the conference could be losing its aura of invincibility.

“I think if you look at the SEC objectively, there isn’t that standalone, perfect team. There are a lot of good teams. But those good teams have had clunker days,” Finebaum said.

After there was pushback against the CFP committee for leaving Alabama, South Carolina and Ole Miss on the outside looking in, those voices faded as the bowl season went on.

In 2025 we’ll know if it was just another down year or if there is a power shift happening in college football.