DeBoer Gets Contract Extension and Raise

[selmaborntidefan]

While it's been said, it hasn't been fully accepted, but CKD didn't inherit a program that was anywhere as healthy as many think.

The main reason many haven't accepted this is because it is very nuanced and multifaceted.

You see, many of the same things CKD inherited and dealt with in his first two seasons were the very things that drove CNS to retirement: LANK (NIL/portal issues), assistant coaching issues, the JM QB situation, problems with penalties, problem with player "anxieties" and, last but not least, perhaps the biggest thing was NC expectations.

Don't get me wrong, I think your central point here is valid and missed by too many fans in the reaction to the lack of a recent championship. This is not Larry Coker taking over Miami when Butch Davis leaves and going on a run - Coker didn't have to worry about 2/3 of his team bolting elsewhere because back then the rules required a player to sit out a year. That point is valid.

I would just say as a bit of counterpoint, the problem isn't DeBoer's eight losses so much as it is how pathetically bad we've looked in those losses. To give just one - admittedly long ago - example, Gene Stallings did begin 0-3, but we had three narrow losses to teams that seemed decent enough and the injury bug absolutely destroyed us that year. So although we were 7-5, the only shake our heads and wonder what was going on loss was the Fiesta Bowl, where let's be honest, Louisville did have a whole lot more to play for than we did.

These are not things that get fixed overnight or in just one or two seasons. Furthermore, while it could be argued we should have won a NC in 2022 if it weren't for a scourge of injuries, CNS did not win a NC in his final 3 seasons...the first time we ever went that long in his tenure without one, and didn't ever play again for a national championship past the '21 season!

Yet, CDK inherited all of these issues, was good enough to take Washington to a NC game in 2023 (something CNS didn't accomplish past the 2021 season) and juggled the incredible coaching change in January of 2024 including inheriting all these expectations for championships.

And now for two seasons he hasn't "won" enough (which means he hasn't won a NC), even though CNS, the GOAT, couldn't do his last 3 seasons!!!

Talk about some tall cotton to wade...expecting things from CKD that even CNS couldn't deliver???

I think the feeling would be completely different if:
a) we had beaten Oklahoma in the regular season as we should have
b) we'd lost to Indiana, say, 38-23, instead of 38-3

 

[Ledsteplin]

Yet there have been two members of his first UA oline that were 1st rounders. Pathetic oline coaching. PERIOD

Agree that's likely the main reason. I thought when Wolford was hired from Kentucky, the OL would improve. But it didn't. We've had 3 or 4 OL coaches without improvement. And I'm not sure what to make of it. It's definitely had a negative affect on the offense. There's been no running game, and the quarterbacks have to scramble for their lives. It's been tough to watch.

 

[TideEngineer08]

I'm still not seeing how we could get anyone who is verifiably better right now.

The extension/raise shows recruits he isn't going anywhere and so far it seems he is a great recruiter.

It's not my money so

I'm still in wait and see mode. There were some developments this off season that were promising. Let's see how they pan out. And finally, the college football world that Nick Saban walked in just a few years ago has been completely obliterated. Alabama is still finding its way, unfortunately, in this new world. Much of this is out of CKD's ability to control.

 

[bamamc1]

And let's don't forget this happened too:

• Caleb Downs (S): Ohio State
• Isaiah Bond (WR): Texas
• Julian Sayin (QB): Ohio State
• Amari Niblack (TE): Texas
• Dezz Ricks (CB): Texas A&M
• Trey Amos (CB): Ole Miss
• Shawn Murphy (LB): Florida State
• Antonio Kite (CB): Auburn
• Jameer Grimsley (CB): Florida
• Eli Holstein (QB): Pittsburgh
• Roydell Williams (RB): Florida State
• Anquin Barnes Jr. (DL): Colorado

And we'll never know the details of "the deal" that CKD is rumored to have struck with Jalen Milroe and what could have been more players that would have joined this list.

We'll never know, but Caleb Downs alone could have changed the outcome of many of the losses and lopsided scores we incurred the last couple of years!!! And I'm talking about on field abilities and that's not even considering his influence in the locker room!!! Remember, he was one of CNS's favorite players he ever recruited and he was the one player he said was "most ready" to play when he showed up in T-town.

If nothing else, if Downs stayed, our secondary play would have been ramped up and he wouldn't have put up with some of the lack of effort back there. (Looking at you Domani Jackson)
Unbelievable:

 

[Joefus]

The biggest improvement I want to see this season, avoid a 2/3 TD loss. He has had 4 in his first 2 years. Just be competitive in every game. Getting run off the field in 1-2 games a year is unacceptable.

It’d also be nice to not have to watch a guy learn on the job like he’s in his 30s. “Ohhhhhh we need dominant lines….ok well now I know”. I’d also like to not have 2-3 games where the opposing coaches know exactly what we are going to do and when.

 

[Joefus]

While it's been said, it hasn't been fully accepted, but CKD didn't inherit a program that was anywhere as healthy as many think.

The main reason many haven't accepted this is because it is very nuanced and multifaceted.

You see, many of the same things CKD inherited and dealt with in his first two seasons were the very things that drove CNS to retirement: LANK (NIL/portal issues), assistant coaching issues, the JM QB situation, problems with penalties, problem with player "anxieties" and, last but not least, perhaps the biggest thing was NC expectations.

These are not things that get fixed overnight or in just one or two seasons. Furthermore, while it could be argued we should have won a NC in 2022 if it weren't for a scourge of injuries, CNS did not win a NC in his final 3 seasons...the first time we ever went that long in his tenure without one, and didn't ever play again for a national championship past the '21 season!

Yet, CDK inherited all of these issues, was good enough to take Washington to a NC game in 2023 (something CNS didn't accomplish past the 2021 season) and juggled the incredible coaching change in January of 2024 including inheriting all these expectations for championships.

And now for two seasons he hasn't "won" enough (which means he hasn't won a NC), even though CNS, the GOAT, couldn't do his last 3 seasons!!!

Talk about some tall cotton to wade...expecting things from CKD that even CNS couldn't deliver???

We were an overtime away from playing for a national title in cns’s last year. And that team was loaded with quality depth. What are you talking about?

 

[Elefantman]

what expectations do you think he did not meet? It is rare for coaches to win national and conference championships every year. Alot of teams would love to have our record from last year (beat Georgia, go to sec championship game, go to playoffs, win a playoff game, top 5 recruiting class every year). I am just curious if you think the school had different expectations or just your own unrealistic ones?

My expectations are more of a cultural foundation than win lose record. The way we open the season against FSU was inexcusable. We were not prepared, focused or in playing condition. The mental aspects needed to be a championship team were missing. True we improved over the season, but there were still cracks in the foundation that reemerged when we played IU in the Rose Bowl. I want to see this year's team each game to their potential. If we do that, the win lose record will take care of its self.

 

[CB4]

I'm still not seeing how we could get anyone who is verifiably better right now.

The extension/raise shows recruits he isn't going anywhere and so far it seems he is a great recruiter.

It's not my money so

I'm still in wait and see mode. There were some developments this off season that were promising. Let's see how they pan out. And finally, the college football world that Nick Saban walked in just a few years ago has been completely obliterated. Alabama is still finding its way, unfortunately, in this new world. Much of this is out of CKD's ability to control.

My opinion doesn’t matter much either. Just as you said, it’s “not my money”. It is done and they certainly didn’t consult me along the way.

Having been in the business world for over 40 years, some of the worst decisions I’ve seen concerning promotions and raises have been based on leadership saying “we better promote them/increase their compensation” for fear of them “leaving for another job”. And this, to me, is of the same ilk. Remember the “Mike DuBose campaign” where fans flooded the AD office with fax to “give him the HC position”? Much of this IMO was driven by people “afraid he’ll get away”. By no means am I remotely suggesting that CKD is DuBose 2.0. I’m simply saying sound decisions in terms of promotions/raises/extensions should be more production based than based on emotion or fear.

I’m happy to see CKD has been willing to attempt to address some of the glaring issues over the past two seasons, particularly along the offensive line and the running game. But the question still remains: Will these changes lead to SIGNIFICANT improvement in rushing and pass blocking? This is something that is yet to be determined. Coaching changes and portal acquisitions don’t assure us of improvement, albeit a running offense that was in 120’s in college football is a rather low bar.

Like you, I’m waiting to see. This can be a decision that makes Byrne look like genius or becomes the albatross around his neck.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

If nothing else, if Downs stayed, our secondary play would have been ramped up and he wouldn't have put up with some of the lack of effort back there. (Looking at you Domani Jackson)
Unbelievable:

I thought Jackson would have done much better than he did................he seemed to quit alot

 

[arthurdawg]

I thought Jackson would have done much better than he did................he seemed to quit alot

He was replaced by a freshman more due to lack of effort wasn't he?

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

He was replaced by a freshman more due to lack of effort wasn't he?

Yeah...........wonder where he will go in the draft

 

[J4Bama]

I'm not a fan of DeBoer. I don't think he is a good fit for Bama or the SEC. I don't think he wins a single championship at Bama.

It will not take multiple 8-4 seasons for him to get fired. All it takes is for donors to stop giving. I think we are closer to that than many want to admit.

I think things will start getting very uncomfortable if ...

Yet again loses an ugly game to a bad team. Kentucky has me very nervous. This is the type of game he has lost at least once in each of his first 2 years at Bama.

The team continues to look bad on the road, especially in the first half.

If he continues to play mediocre, poor teams close instead of dominating and putting them away. He and his staff seem to have at least a game or 2 each year where it feels like they forget how to coach and look lost. I'm so tired of this one.


I know, I'm one of the whiners. I was never convinced he was the right hire, and I have not seen a single thing in 2 years to change my mind. I have seen several things that make me wish Bama had hired someone else.

The final record is not all that matters. Holding on to a coach because you are scared about who might be hired next is not always the right move. In his first 2 years, DeBoer's teams have looked poorly coached and underprepared in more games than I like to count. That should scare us all.

Kentucky has a new coach and our game with them is in the second week of the season, which will be his first SEC game, I just don’t see us losing to them.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Don't get me wrong, I think your central point here is valid and missed by too many fans in the reaction to the lack of a recent championship. This is not Larry Coker taking over Miami when Butch Davis leaves and going on a run - Coker didn't have to worry about 2/3 of his team bolting elsewhere because back then the rules required a player to sit out a year. That point is valid.

I would just say as a bit of counterpoint, the problem isn't DeBoer's eight losses so much as it is how pathetically bad we've looked in those losses. To give just one - admittedly long ago - example, Gene Stallings did begin 0-3, but we had three narrow losses to teams that seemed decent enough and the injury bug absolutely destroyed us that year. So although we were 7-5, the only shake our heads and wonder what was going on loss was the Fiesta Bowl, where let's be honest, Louisville did have a whole lot more to play for than we did.




I think the feeling would be completely different if:
a) we had beaten Oklahoma in the regular season as we should have
b) we'd lost to Indiana, say, 38-23, instead of 38-3

We were also embarrassed by UGA in the SECCG just 2 games before the IU game.

I know as I type that the instant defense from some will be ‘but injuries’ for both of those games.

There has even been a ‘If only Ty didn’t get hurt’ excuse vs IU because it was 10-0 at the time.

I remember when Colt got hurt and Texas fought us to a 24-21 score in the 4th before we put it away.

Yeah the fans made excuses but Texas put up a fight in that game.

IU outplayed us 10-0 with Ty and 28-3 without him.

But I mean yeah let’s say the final was 38-23 and that was because we kept fighting and competing and played them 28-23 after Ty got hurt.

Yeah it’s still a loss but the context would be completely different.

It’s a whole other vibe and team trajectory.

We had countless games when Golding was our DC and our Defense was as resistant as a wet paper bag and we still didn’t roll over and get blown out as a team like we have in the last two seasons.

There is a lot of things to fix with the current program from a Team Culture and Mental Toughness perspective.

 

[CB4]

24-21 score in the 4th before we put it away.

Yeah the fans made excuses but Texas put up a fight in that game.

IU outplayed us 10-0 with Ty and 28-3 without him.

But I mean yeah let’s say the final was 38-23 and that was because we kept fighting and competing and played them 28-23 after Ty got hurt.

Yeah it’s still a loss but the context would be completely different.

I call it the “bookends” effect. The first and last impressions of Alabama 2025. We started off versus what we later found out was a mediocre FSU team looking completely unprepared and then the last game against Indiana (albeit the eventual national champion) looking about the same. Lots of questions with few answers. The rest of the season in between is pretty much lost on many. Most can write off Oklahoma loss due to turnovers and UGA in SECCG as overwhelmed by injuries.

The season started with a bad taste in the mouth of the fanbase and ended just about the same way.

You can spin the idea that “we are a spoiled fanbase” all you want. Believe it or not, most Bama fans can be gracious in loss. Yeah, like many we can rationalize or minimize in some cases, but for the most part we can accept when the better team finds ways to beat us. What most Bama fans can’t accept is embarrassment in those losses. And that is what the season began and ended with. The bad taste of embarrassment.

 

[CB4]

Kentucky has a new coach and our game with them is in the second week of the season, which will be his first SEC game, I just don’t see us losing to them.

Not trying to be argumentative, but did you see us losing to FSU the way we did to open the season last year? I believe we were double digit favorites in that game The loss to a struggling Oklahoma team in 2024 (also as double digit favorites) that was decimated by injuries and had no passing game whatsoever? And with a possible playoff spot on the line. A bowl game against Michigan where most of their team had opted out?

And we find ways to beat UGA home and away during the regular season in 2024 and 2025, arguably the best team in the league those years. That is what has been baffling about the last two years. It’s like having a child with ADD (I know, I have one). Those teams have been “consistently inconsistent”.

You’re right. We should beat UK under Will Stein as the new first year coach. Should be an absolute no brainer. Given our history the past two years, I’m not chalking it up as a “W” just yet.

 

[DansVans]

I understand the points that have been cogently made, but part of this still bothers me. Maybe it's the part that sounds so much like we've turned into Auburn trembling at the notion of losing Gus Malzahn - and agreeing to a bad, bad deal in their fear.

1) DeBoer now has zero incentive to do any better or even stay the same.

We've basically signed a prenup with a guy who gets rewarded for breaking it.
You know, like traditional marriage with rich folks.

He can go 5-7 this year, and we're stuck with either paying him to leave or putting up with him for another 2-3-4 years.

2) The problem with DeBoer isn't any single loss - it's ALL of them.

The problem is NOT that he lost to Vandy in 2024.
The problem is NOT that he lost to a bad Oklahoma team later that year.
The problem is NOT the blowout loss to Indiana.

It's ALL of the losses - and how we've looked, like a team that had Mike DuBose-level practices. Let's face it, we're on everyone's hit list for all the years we beat teams, games often over before the end of the first quarter. It's like when Oklahoma was down in the 90s or like Nebraska from 1998 - 2011.

3) Our operating in fear of what might happen doesn't help things.

If Michigan or Texas or a number of other schools decide that "guy who couldn't cut it at Alabama is who we want as our head coach," there isn't really all that much we can do to stop it anyway. "Oh, he has to pay X to leave." Sure, and you think the next school won't lather his pay with that money so it's no loss to him anyway?

This extension will NOT result in "it's too expensive to fire him" anywhere but in the state of Alabama. And it won't stop the Tim Brandos channeling their inner Woody Woodpecker to create a ruckus so they can make the noon two martini lunch, either.

4) Having said that, we're left with who the obvious upgrade is if he leaves however.

There are but a small number of coaches who even make the list - and how many of them are coming to T-Town? Somehow one has to be able to look over the mass of coaches and see the next Ryan Day or Curt Cignetti, and you're more likely to be wrong than right.

I just think from the details of the contract we're told that this was a bad deal. It sounds to me like the only thing that changed is we've been in a two-year rocky marriage and decided that paying him more to divorce us will somehow actually strengthen the marriage.

Which is absurd.

Great way to put it. So as I tried to ask in a round about way. Who is to blame for renegotiating the contract of a mediocre coach & why? Seems like adding an automatic roll over clause would have made more sense. Someone felt they had give CKD a raise and extension. Is it time to have a FULL examination of Greg Byrne's tenure and not just wins & losses?

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Great way to put it. So as I tried to ask in a round about way. Who is to blame for renegotiating the contract of a mediocre coach & why? Seems like adding an automatic roll over clause would have made more sense. Someone felt they had give CKD a raise and extension. Is it time to have a FULL examination of Greg Byrne's tenure and not just wins & losses?

Well, getting the #1 QB Recruit in the nation would show that there is some value to the investment...

Byrum Brown is only there this next season , so who it behind him that excites you...?

Do you think that Cohen is the better AD?

 

[DansVans]

Well, getting the #1 QB Recruit in the nation would show that there is some value to the investment...

Byrum Brown is only there this next season , so who it behind him that excites you...?

Do you think that Cohen is the better AD?

Who is Byrum Brown? And I could care lass about Cohen. I pay very little attention to who recruiting services rate #1.

 

[Cruiser]

Well, getting the #1 QB Recruit in the nation would show that there is some value to the investment...

Byrum Brown is only there this next season , so who it behind him that excites you...?

Do you think that Cohen is the better AD?

Cohen got hung out to dry by Bruce Pearl

 

[AlexanderFan]

We were also embarrassed by UGA in the SECCG just 2 games before the IU game.

I know as I type that the instant defense from some will be ‘but injuries’ for both of those games.

There has even been a ‘If only Ty didn’t get hurt’ excuse vs IU because it was 10-0 at the time.

I remember when Colt got hurt and Texas fought us to a 24-21 score in the 4th before we put it away.

Yeah the fans made excuses but Texas put up a fight in that game.

IU outplayed us 10-0 with Ty and 28-3 without him.

But I mean yeah let’s say the final was 38-23 and that was because we kept fighting and competing and played them 28-23 after Ty got hurt.

Yeah it’s still a loss but the context would be completely different.

It’s a whole other vibe and team trajectory.

We had countless games when Golding was our DC and our Defense was as resistant as a wet paper bag and we still didn’t roll over and get blown out as a team like we have in the last two seasons.

There is a lot of things to fix with the current program from a Team Culture and Mental Toughness perspective.

Nobody doubts there is a toughness problem, you take exception to people pointing out that the end of the Saban era was the start of the decline. You point out the SEC championship, which was on the back of one of the most improbable conversions in the history of organized football. Any and all leadership fled when Saban left, and that compounded the learning curve for DeBoer, and makes these embarrassing losses happen. This is his third year, I don’t know how the leadership is going to shake out, but he’s obviously seen that the program needs more physicality to be super elite, and he’s taken steps to change that.