Alabama Has ‘A Harder Edge’ in DeBoer’s Second Season

‘His fingerprints are on everything now—and he’s made it known that you better be locked in,’ linebacker Deontae Lawson says.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer of the Alabama Crimson Tide stands with his team before running onto the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sept. 28, 2024. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is putting his stamp on the Crimson Tide’s program.

After years of dominance under Nick Saban, the Tide struggled in 2024, finishing fifth in the SEC and going out with a whimper in the ReliaQuest Bowl. In an interview with ESPN, DeBoer said that he has had a chance to establish himself with his players and staff. Linebacker and team captain Deontae Lawson said that with a year under his belt, DeBoer has begun to put his foot down.

“It was more that we were in retention mode,” DeBoer said of his struggles last year. “I wouldn’t say we slacked off on any of the things that would be the standard of what we need to do and how you need to operate. But I do think there’s another level of an edge, a harder edge.”

“Your relationships are deeper,” DeBoer added. “You establish that harder edge because of the understanding of what we need to do to accomplish it, and now we have the experiences for the most part together, the staff and players.”

“We’re more comfortable now calling each other out because our relationships are stronger, and we know that we all want the same thing. I feel like now we’re closer to having the alignment between staff and players and having the right people here. Everyone has an appreciation for what each other brings to the table.”

Nick Saban retired on Jan. 10, 2024, after leading the Crimson Tide for 17 seasons. Two days later, Alabama announced that Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer would accept the head coaching job. But DeBoer accepted the job in the middle of the NCAA’s transfer portal window. The Tide lost eight players with significant playing time, including freshman standout safety Caleb Downs, cornerback Trey Amos, and backup quarterback Tyler Buchner. But Alabama also ranked No. 2 in the nation in recruiting class.

The Tide opened the season with a 4-0 start but lost two of the next three games and finished the regular season 9-3. They ended the season with a loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl in a low-scoring defensive battle in which Alabama was unable to overcome a 16-point first-quarter deficit. After starting the season as No. 5 in both the AP and Coaches’ poll, the Tide finished No. 17.

Lawson confirmed DeBoer’s diagnosis of the team’s ills last season.

“Coach DeBoer had his battles last year, replacing a legend like Coach Saban in the middle of the transfer portal, and it was hard to implement everything the way he wanted,” Lawson told ESPN. “It was kind of hard for him to come in and be the bad cop or whatever last year. He’s still laid back and still wants the players to lead, but his fingerprints are on everything now—and he’s made it known that you better be locked in.”

After playing football for the University of Sioux Falls, DeBoer joined the team as Wide Receivers coach in 1997. He then served as an assistant coach at Washington High School in Sioux Falls from 1998-1999, while playing semi-pro football and independent baseball. He went back to Sioux Falls as offensive coordinator from 2000-2004, while still playing indoor football from 2000-2001. He was promoted to head coach in 2005 and served until 2009. He then had positional stints at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Indiana.

He accepted the head coach position at Fresno State and served there from 2020-2021; the Bulldogs went 3-3 in the 2020 COVID season, then went 9-3 in 2021 and beat UTEP 31-24 in the New Mexico Bowl. He then accepted the job at Washington. In the 2022 season, the Huskies went 10-2 and beat Texas 27-20 in the Alamo Bowl; DeBoer won PAC-12 Coach of the Year for his leadership. In 2023, the Huskies went 12-0 and won the PAC-12 Championship. They also entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed, beating Texas 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl. Washington suffered its only loss of the season to Michigan in the CFP Championship, 34-13.