After 13 games we're 9-4. Let's revisit our thoughts and outlook on Coach Kalen DeBoer

[CB4]

What I witnessed last night changed everything about my perception of this staff, this team, even the DeBoer hire.

Ditto.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

How do you deal with it? Letting him continuing on and trying to talk him through it apparently doesnt work and almost guarantees a loss if things go sideways

I have no idea.
The guy who figures that out is going to be very rich.

Until the NIL and portal are regulated and under some level of limits, we are heading for an obvious crash. CKD probably had to swallow a bit hard when he took the job, but it wouldn't surprie me in the least if the decision on Milroe is, "I don't care if he wants to come back here, I don't want him back" and try to put a team in place that can run his offense.

We live in a time when word gets out that Player So And So is unhappy with his playing time/money at this school and wants to transfer. Let me be clear: the OLD redshirt rules were WAY TOO HARSH. One can argue - and I'd probably agree - that the transfer rule requiring you to sit out a year was too harsh.

But we have a woman's college basketball player who is pretty good from the state of Washington who:
a) played for Louisville and they went to the Final Four
b) played for LSU and they went to the Final Four
c) now plays for TCU

I mean, I don't even follow women's b-ball at all and I KNOW THIS. THIS - is insane.

One transfer allowed without penalty, maybe a second if you miss a year with injury - but THIS is absurd.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I have concerns too. But I also know next year will be better with a new QB and more of his players he recruited.

Maybe. Hopefully.

But if he cannot take the reigns and do what's needed this year, I'm not sure those coming back are going to suddenly respect his control of the program.

DeBoer is off to an inauspicious start, and I'm not talking about wins and losses (although those are a result of his seeming (lack of ) control). The argument was that he needed to wait this year out and clean house as if he did it in year one the season would be lost. Well guess what, he didn't address it and the season is basically in the same spot.

I'm an eternal optimist but also a realist. I do think he'll get things in order, but the (apparent) weakness he's shown in controlling the locker room don't give me much confidence that he's going to continue to uphold the 'Bama standard' in years to come.

 

[CB4]

Quite a few talking heads in the media are already calling him a failure and stating he isnt cut out for the SEC............I dont know if thats a fair assessment since he inherited a few issues with this team, but his work is cut out for him

I rewatched his post game presser from Saturday night yesterday. Afterwards I didn’t have a good feeling. He seemed anxious and unsettled, and quite frankly “lost”. How much of that was just frustration, I can’t say. But CKD’s demeanor didn’t instill a bunch of confidence in me.

I’ve been in CKD’s corner. I believe the man was the correct hire. But I’m beginning to walk back some of that confidence for sure. I also recognize this was NOT a bed of roses situation to walk into. Still, I want to see him as great man, a great coach, and a great leader…a person that take young hearts and minds and mold them into proper manhood…by being their COACH, not their best friend.

I also saw a clip with Najee Harris talking his days at Alabama. About his attitude and arrogance. About how he constantly butted heads with Coach Saban. But in the end, CNS finally got through to him. The last thing Najee said was “I love that little man”.

THAT is my expectation for a Head Coach at the University of Alabama. Is that CKD? I guess we’ll find out.

 

[CB4]

I think we also wanted Bowden in 1986. LSU was considering him as well.

My father in law was a golfing buddy of Bowden’s attorney. Many years back he gave my FIL the rundown on what happened in 1986.

The Reader’s Digest version: Via back channels (as all these things happen) Bobby Bowden had basically “agreed in principle” to leave FSU and become the next coach at Alabama. It was a done deal. Simply a formality of getting University approval and an offer. He would accept and await the announcement. Bowden had already travel to Birmingham expecting an offer then an announcement (his mother lived in near Birmingham, I believe Sylacauga, and he came up to “visit” her).

The only “offer” Bowden got was one to “interview” with the search committee put together by Joab Thomas. I won’t say who, but there was one particular panel member who made a few (putting it mildly) “snarky” comments to Bowden when informing him he had to interview. This PO’d Bowden to no end.

Bowden told them “My record speaks for itself. If you want me, offer me the job. But I’m not interviewing”. And that is how Bill Curry became the next Alabama coach in 1986.

My FIL’s friend said “Bobby was the next coach at Alabama. And those two people (Thomas and another) screwed it up.”

Sorry to take the thread on a tangent.

 

[Coach D]

Without knowing the truth with how the locker room is it’s hard to fully judge. But we need to judge without emotion.

He came in late but did extremely well keeping the team together and recruiting before the season. Had to throw a staff together with coaches that aren’t his first choice.

The season shows a lot of weakness. He is supposed to be an offensive coach but the offense has been the worst part. They seem to struggle scheming for the players we have. Excluding how bad Milroe is the scheme struggles and force Milroe runs when it doesn’t work at times. Weird that they keep him at qb but who knows how good backups are/locker room situations. His teams run game doesn’t seem like it bodes well for sec but we will see. Bad job this year but next year we have to see improvement in scheme. O line was supposed to be very good but overall struggled.

Defense. Lucky to play 3-4 teams missing starting qb. Some positives but can’t set the edge or stop a running qb to save their life. Started to improve and get TOs. Seem very bad at making adjustments.

This off season if we don’t see some staff changes the clock should tick a little faster. Most likely a large transfer year going out and in. Have to imagine getting transfer QB based on this year. Need d line, probably lose RBs so maybe one experienced coming in. Will be a very interesting off season but again first positive will be a few coaching changes and a mass exit of players will be hit or miss positive. But the staff inability to prep every week and adjust in game is alarming along with maybe the two worst (especially OU) losses in my life that I can remember, but that has to end and if happens next year without a legitimate reason then seat will be fire.

Think he was best hire the University could make on paper, excellent start in off season. Weird and frustrating season, but recruiting looks very good. Now recruiting could fall apart but so far a lot of positives and not as bad as some make it.

 

[GrayTide]

I was supportive of the hiring of CKD, and now quite frankly I have no idea how successful or long his tenure will be. I have been underwhelmed with his OC and DC, there is something about hiring friends and former assistants that does not always workout and makes it hard to be objective about their performance. I hope CKD does not turn out to be another Brian Harsin. If he cleans house of the LANK crew and maybe makes some coaching changes it would be a step in the right direction, but I fear that by doing that next year may not be any better than this year. We will see.

 

[cbi1972]

and I don't want to hear all the whining from players and coaches that "nobody believed in us" ... you know why nobody believes in you? Because of how you played and coached this year, that's why. You're all professionals now. Criticism comes with it. Get over yourselves.

I believed they could win every game until they showed me otherwise

 

[spidermayin]

I want to see CKB get his guys in the program and then see how it looks. People calling for getting rid of CKD are being absolutely ridiculous and that type of move would bury us for sure. Give him a good 2, or 3 years.

 

[jjv0004]

That was gross Saturday night. I think as bad of a game I have seen Alabama play since 2007. Defense seemed lost. Offensive line was awful. Milroe seemed as bad as ever. Coaching staff seemed to make no adjustments. Did not instill any confidence in DeBoer going forward.

Having said all that he is 11 games in with a group of guys at are not his recruits and a QB that cannot handle his offense. I was thinking about who we lost last year and who we have this year to replace those guys. We lost one of the best safeties in the country (Downs), 2 starting CB's to the NFL in Arnold and McKinstry, the best backup corner in Amos, the best pass rushers in Turner and Braswell, best o-lineman in Latham and top 2 wide receivers (Burton and Bond). The talent level took a huge hit and there are not many guys on this roster right now that are clear NFL studs.

DeBoer needs a QB and might have to wait 2 years for Russell to be the starter as a redshirt freshman. He also needs to find more stud wide receivers. We have one in Williams. The best Bama teams had 2-3 guys that were difference makers at all times.

I don't know if he is the right guy but if he isn't, who in the world is out there that would be better?

 

[Coach D]

Will add one worry is for this being an offensive coach, it appears offensive game plan might have been better last year overall. This year it seems like they don’t like to self scout or change tendencies. I can’t tell you how many times they do the same shift in 12 personnel to milroe run but since counting I think it’s 15 times milroe run and 1 something else. That’s terrible and Ou knew it too and tenn which was part of problem. LSU just bad. So the offensive scheme/coaching is worrisome. But as said have to see with a different qb if it improves.

 

[davefrat]

Were the season to end today, the best I could muster for the coaching staff is a B-...and that's being generous.

DeBoer and company are starting to look pretty clueless in a lot of ways.

 

[denver]

Were the season to end today, the best I could muster for the coaching staff is a B-...and that's being generous.

DeBoer and company are starting to look pretty clueless in a lot of ways.

Odd really right? they've all coached for a long time and successfully ...so it makes the lack of adjustments on both sides even more perplexing

 

[JDCrimson]

You cant judge CKD on this year. His hands are tied to some promises that were made that he was not a part of. The AD and Saban made promises that he inherited and he likely didnt know the full extent of those promises until he was on board. And I think we can fairly speculate that is why Grubb didnt stay is because these promises became fully known. And Grubb was not going to move his family and tie his resume to Milroe as the anointed and unlodged starter.

None of what we are dealing with is a secret in coaching circles... Nobody of quality wanted the job following Saban with an open season on the roster. Assurances and promises were made to try hold the roster together for CKD.

And besides, I still believe that CKD was the best available coach we could get and still is. Dan Lanning would have fared no better in this transition. Mike Norvell cant even manage his own roster. Sark wasnt coming. We could have had Kiffin, but he is persona non grata among anyone in administration, and we would be going for it on 4th down needlessly.

CKD is still a winner and took over tough situations in smaller theaters and has won. He likely developed his personality in places where you couldnt be a butt and get recruits. And that likely wont work at Bama going forward either.

I still believe we have the right guy.

And I will go a little further. I was hearing pretty solidly that Saban was going to retire at the end of the 2023 season before the season even started. And if I was hearing it you know the players and coaches were hearing through their agents and others. So any player that had remaining eligibility was automatically in shakedown mode to stay beyond 2023. Thats why they flooded Saban with more asks between the SECx and Rose Bowl because they knew he would deliver on those promises. Kadyn didnt a get a promise so he left. Saban was really close with Terrion Arnold who was likely helping Saban hold the roster together. But TA was partners with JM on LANK. So its pretty easy in the desperation of the moment for someone to ask for protection for themselves (or best friend). But the scene we are seeing now was always a real risk.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

I want to see CKB get his guys in the program and then see how it looks. People calling for getting rid of CKD are being absolutely ridiculous and that type of move would bury us for sure. Give him a good 2, or 3 years.

I know in a pragmatic sense we have to give him 3 years or we won’t be able to get another promising HC to come here.

But where I am right now after a couple nights of sleep.

He could get canned today and I wouldn’t flinch.

We are 8-3 for a lot of reasons but number one is that he acquiesced to the demands of a group of 18-22 year old kids instead of doing things the right way.

We have specifically lost 3 games because of him not making a change at QB.

We would not have lost to Vandy, Tenn, OU with either Ty or Dylan.

I’d rather be 9-2 w/ losses to say UGA, LSU, but having played the right guys.

Again I know we have to continue a wait and see approach but I’m pretty close to being completely soured to the whole staff.

 

[Foleybammer]

Saturday night was a reminder that Brett Venables is one of the best DCs. I had alot of
concerns going into the game knowing he had two weeks to prepare for us. Their defense is one of the
best and they lost games because the offense turned the ball over. He turned TUA inside out when
Clemson routed us in a NC game. Our staff is going through the reality that all teams have
good coaches and players regardless of record. This isn't the PAC 12 no easy outs. Learning
experience.

He turned Milroe into a pocket passing Qb and we were in trouble. We did need to run the backs more.

 

[davefrat]

You cant judge CKD on this year. His hands are tied to some promises that were made that he was not a part of. The AD and Saban made promises that he inherited and he likely didnt know the full extent of those promises until he was on board. And I think we can fairly speculate that is why Grubb didnt stay is because these promises became fully known. And Grubb was not going to move his family and tie his resume to Milroe as the anointed and unlodged starter.

None of what we are dealing with is a secret in coaching circles... Nobody of quality wanted the job following Saban with an open season on the roster. Assurances and promises were made to try hold the roster together for CKD.

And besides, I still believe that CKD was the best available coach we could get and still is. Dan Lanning would have fared no better in this transition. Mike Norvell cant even manage his own roster. Sark wasnt coming. We could have had Kiffin, but he is persona non grata among anyone in administration, and we would be going for it on 4th down needlessly.

CKD is still a winner and took over tough situations in smaller theaters and has won. He likely developed his personality in places where you couldnt be a butt and get recruits. And that likely wont work at Bama going forward either.

I still believe we have the right guy.

And I will go a little further. I was hearing pretty solidly that Saban was going to retire at the end of the 2023 season before the season even started. And if I was hearing it you know the players and coaches were hearing through their agents and others. So any player that had remaining eligibility was automatically in shakedown mode to stay beyond 2023. Thats why they flooded Saban with more asks between the SECx and Rose Bowl because they knew he would deliver on those promises. Kadyn didnt a get a promise so he left. Saban was really close with Terrion Arnold who was likely helping Saban hold the roster together. But TA was partners with JM on LANK. So its pretty easy in the desperation of the moment for someone to ask for protection for themselves (or best friend). But the scene we are seeing now was always a real risk.

I think it's fair to judge things like not making any adjustments.

To be fair, I'm no coach and perhaps they've made subtle adjustments, but when the other team is completely shutting down your offense and running the ball at will (without even threatening to pass) one would think it would take more drastic adjustments than things that only an expert can see.

And there are times when DeBoer looks like he's been hitting the hooka on the sideline with how bewildered he is with what is happening on the field.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

It’s not asinine. Is it jumping the gun a bit? Yes. Asinine? No.

In this case, same thing...

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I think someone needs to do a forensic audit on the LANK books

Yellafella...?

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

CKD named a starting QB before ever seeing the team practice. Perhaps if there had been a competition for the job...? Guess we'll never know. We've also not prepared a backup at all this year. I just don't get it. CKD should get another year but it looks like it's just a formality until he's gone.

If we even have an offensive system I can't see it. Jalen left, Jalen right, Jalen up the middle, Jalen throw an interception, and that's pretty much it. If I was an opposing DC I'd focus on stopping Jalen.

I'm predicting we'll see our first opt-out this week, not counting Oatis and Koht.

Something is seriously amiss when this many blue-chip players can't seem to play a lick. How can we possibly have zero running backs that can effectively run the ball.

Link...?

Absolutely false!!!