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

[Grogan11]

I don’t think he gets enough credit for the job he’s done. This team is better coached than last years team. No snap issues, much more explosive offense, TD’s in the red zone instead of field goals, playing more to the strength of the personnel, best guys are on the field regardless of class. Defensively have given up fewer points thru 10 games than last year. Considering all the talent that was lost in both the draft and portal, that’s an incredible stat.
He did a great job of surrounding himself with the deepest coaching staff we’ve had in years. Add to that it was probably going to be him or Norvell….lets just say we’re all very fortunate

 

[LeBron47]

Always knew it would be different post Saban … so my expectations were 9-3 to 10 2 this year. I like him and believe he was the best choice (just think it Could have been Norvell) we will never see the early Saban years repeated however we should under CKD be a playoff contender every year.

So yes we have the right coach…

 

[cdub55]

Ty will comfortably be our starting QB next year and the portal/NIL$ will not be spent on a QB.

I haven't seen enough of Ty to have an opinion on him. Seems like a good young man and I am pulling for him.

Just curious, what gives you such a strong opinion? I've heard numerous "the coaches are high on Ty" sentiments but unless I have spoke with them personally I don't know how much of that carries much water. Many times coaches will be complimentary in the papers, etc. and will give cookie cutter answers when discussing players. In behind closed doors face to face conversation, is where you get the goods.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I haven't seen enough of Ty to have an opinion on him. Seems like a good young man and I am pulling for him.

Just curious, what gives you such a strong opinion? I've heard numerous "the coaches are high on Ty" sentiments but unless I have spoke with them personally I don't know how much of that carries much water. Many times coaches will be complimentary in the papers, etc. and will give cookie cutter answers when discussing players. In behind closed doors face to face conversation, is where you get the goods.

Ty Simpson did some things within the offense better than Milroe, one is to get the ball out of his hand quicker and throw to the shorter, intermediate routes better. Milroe did other things better than Simpson which was the deep ball and his explosiveness as a runner. A combination of throwing the deep ball better and his ability to take it to the house on any given run is what put Milroe over the top. This is coming from someone who is a part of the team. But yes, the staff and several of the WR's are very high on Simpson's ability to run the offense. Granted, that doesn't mean the job is automatically his, he will have to compete just like everyone else. But he SHOULD have a leg up going into camp next season.

 

[cdub55]

Ty Simpson did some things within the offense better than Milroe, one is to get the ball out of his hand quicker and throw to the shorter, intermediate routes better. Milroe did other things better than Simpson which was the deep ball and his explosiveness as a runner. A combination of throwing the deep ball better and his ability to take it to the house on any given run is what put Milroe over the top. This is coming from someone who is a part of the team. But yes, the staff and several of the WR's are very high on Simpson's ability to run the offense. Granted, that doesn't mean the job is automatically his, he will have to compete just like everyone else. But he SHOULD have a leg up going into camp next season.

Thanks. Typically I would know such things but currently haven't talked to any of the new staff. Hopefully we start to see Ty in the coming weeks and he is allowed to run the offense in its entirety. The SEC can be a rough place to knock off the rust as a starter.

 

[UAH]

Ty Simpson did some things within the offense better than Milroe, one is to get the ball out of his hand quicker and throw to the shorter, intermediate routes better. Milroe did other things better than Simpson which was the deep ball and his explosiveness as a runner. A combination of throwing the deep ball better and his ability to take it to the house on any given run is what put Milroe over the top. This is coming from someone who is a part of the team. But yes, the staff and several of the WR's are very high on Simpson's ability to run the offense. Granted, that doesn't mean the job is automatically his, he will have to compete just like everyone else. But he SHOULD have a leg up going into camp next season.

I completely understand that Milroe is a physical speciman with great speed with a number of minuses that have been documented on here many times. What I have struggled with is the lack of development of a QB with the talent that Ty has. Had that happened the game at Tennessee would most probably have been in the win column. There has also been discussion on here about Lank and the impact of NIL money on the team and its impact on attitude and decision making.

My wife and I have talked about this here based on our sons participation in high school and college baseball and know that coaches attitudes have a lot to do with decision making. The long and short of it is that I don't understand why Ty is still at Alabama. If he he stays and it turns out to be a great success then obviously I would have made a wrong decision as a parent.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I completely understand that Milroe is a physical speciman with great speed with a number of minuses that have been documented on here many times. What I have struggled with is the lack of development of a QB with the talent that Ty has. Had that happened the game at Tennessee would most probably have been in the win column. There has also been discussion on here about Lank and the impact of NIL money on the team and its impact on attitude and decision making.

My wife and I have talked about this here based on our sons participation in high school and college baseball and know that coaches attitudes have a lot to do with decision making. The long and short of it is that I don't understand why Ty is still at Alabama. If he he stays and it turns out to be a great success then obviously I would have made a wrong decision as a parent.

Ty has developed, but so has Milroe. Though the dynamics of the team still aren't perfect, there's no more "bee-S" going on with discipline, being late to meetings, or rule-following. DeBoer and staff have laid the hammer down in their own way. It's still not Saban but a lot tougher than when they first started.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I completely understand that Milroe is a physical speciman with great speed with a number of minuses that have been documented on here many times. What I have struggled with is the lack of development of a QB with the talent that Ty has. Had that happened the game at Tennessee would most probably have been in the win column. There has also been discussion on here about Lank and the impact of NIL money on the team and its impact on attitude and decision making.

My wife and I have talked about this here based on our sons participation in high school and college baseball and know that coaches attitudes have a lot to do with decision making. The long and short of it is that I don't understand why Ty is still at Alabama. If he he stays and it turns out to be a great success then obviously I would have made a wrong decision as a parent.

It’s been said that his father really emphasized honoring his commitment to Alabama. Take that for what it’s worth.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I get excited to think about what CKD and his staff can do with players that fit better in his system, especially at QB. But overall, I've been pleasantly surprised to see the following this season:

1) Scoring early on in big games - Typically (not all the time), CNS' teams seemed to warm up the offense slowly or not at all in huge, regular season games. This isn't a shot at CNS and his methods; rather, just being objective to what I've seen. Alabama generally had no problems scoring against UGA and LSU on their first drive, and I believe that helped wonders with the team's confidence on how they could play the rest of the game.

2) Managing all coaching, offensive, defensive transitions well enough that had fewer mistakes occurred, Alabama may only have 1 loss as of now or be undefeated. That's a personal belief, and any woulda/shoulda/coulda remain as hypotheticals.

3) IDK that the team has played a complete game, other than maybe LSU. UGA could've been a complete game had they maintained the field dominance from the 1st half.

Despite the positives, I hope that the team handles its last 2 games well. A win at LSU could help the team's mindset in traveling to OU, especially since the OU offense has been less than average IMO. With the AU game, I could see a bad AU team playing terribly, or an inspired AU team looking to play spoiler.

 

[TiderJack]

I haven't seen enough of Ty to have an opinion on him. Seems like a good young man and I am pulling for him.

Just curious, what gives you such a strong opinion? I've heard numerous "the coaches are high on Ty" sentiments but unless I have spoke with them personally I don't know how much of that carries much water. Many times coaches will be complimentary in the papers, etc. and will give cookie cutter answers when discussing players. In behind closed doors face to face conversation, is where you get the goods.

Curious to know what connection you have to the football program? I'm guessing pretty close since you keep referencing you have not spoken to any of the coaches personally yet and face to face conversations......

 

[UAH]

It’s been said that his father really emphasized honoring his commitment to Alabama. Take that for what it’s worth.

That commitment would seem to be true. Commitment is required from both sides to make that work and I wonder how such commitment works in todays big money sports environment!

 

[cdub55]

Ty Simpson did some things within the offense better than Milroe, one is to get the ball out of his hand quicker and throw to the shorter, intermediate routes better. Milroe did other things better than Simpson which was the deep ball and his explosiveness as a runner. A combination of throwing the deep ball better and his ability to take it to the house on any given run is what put Milroe over the top. This is coming from someone who is a part of the team. But yes, the staff and several of the WR's are very high on Simpson's ability to run the offense. Granted, that doesn't mean the job is automatically his, he will have to compete just like everyone else. But he SHOULD have a leg up going into camp next season.

The hesitancy I have with Ty is he currently sits at zero starts and has very little game experience. In a normal situation this wouldn't be the end all be all but in a CKD offense, the QB is the meat and the potatoes of the scheme. To get Washington'esque numbers (Over 500 yards total offense/game), we are going to need a Penix'esque type signal caller. Penix took his lumps and developed at Indiana before he jumped into the starting position at UW. This is why it wouldn't surprise me if we went and got a seasoned veteran QB to run the offense next year. It is also why I still think Russell could come in and be a threat for the position. He has the arm talent to do the things CKD is going to want to do moving forward. Once again, I'm not saying Ty can't get it done, I just want to see him show me more (which in his defense he hasn't really had an opportunity to do), before I can go out on a limb and say he definitively is the QB-in-waiting.

 

[cdub55]

Curious to know what connection you have to the football program? I'm guessing pretty close since you keep referencing you have not spoken to any of the coaches personally yet and face to face conversations......

Through my work (head football coach) I have had several one-on-one type interactions with Holman Wiggins, Saban, and Steele off the 2023 staff. Over the years there are many more to name that had already moved to other programs. I have sat in team meetings, coaches meetings, and position meetings. Many of these guys, once you get to know them are extremely candid and aren't shy of telling it like it is. I could write a book on a former HS head coach from just listening to Pruitt and Sherrer telling stories. At the end of the day these guys are no different than HS coaches and most of them are enjoyable to be around.

I will tell a funny story about Coach Holman Wiggins. I was in Costco shopping during the pandemic and I saw this tall beautiful woman. She was literally breath taking and I normally wouldn't do this but I was single at the time and I it would have bothered me if I didn't at least "shoot my shot". As I walked up to her to say hello, I hear..."Hey Coach _____, what the heck you doing my guy!?". It stops me in my tracks and I notice it is Coach Wiggins. We talked briefly and he goes, "hold on let me introduce you to my wife". If he would have gave me another 5 seconds he could have witnessed me making a fool of myself and getting shot down by his wife while he stood feet away.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I completely understand that Milroe is a physical speciman with great speed with a number of minuses that have been documented on here many times. What I have struggled with is the lack of development of a QB with the talent that Ty has. Had that happened the game at Tennessee would most probably have been in the win column. There has also been discussion on here about Lank and the impact of NIL money on the team and its impact on attitude and decision making.

My wife and I have talked about this here based on our sons participation in high school and college baseball and know that coaches attitudes have a lot to do with decision making. The long and short of it is that I don't understand why Ty is still at Alabama. If he he stays and it turns out to be a great success then obviously I would have made a wrong decision as a parent.

Getting a new coach has a lot to do with it. Talk about a whirlwind transition, CKD had to juggle a tremendous amount since he arrived. He was lucky to have a returning starting QB to roll with despite his shortcomings. Starting SEC experience at that position as a first year coach in this league is a huge crutch. I just get the feeling Coach has been adjusting to this new gig since he has stepped foot in Tuscaloosa...still doing so to this day. Ty will get his shot and I think he knows how to take the reigns with this team and be the starter next season.

 

[bvandegraff]

I think Shula was likely a decent recruiter just because he was a decent person. His staff besides Joe Kines and Terry Jones was a joke. But when you are rotating Chris Capps and Kyle Tatum at ROT there is only so much you can do offensively when matched with likely the worst OL coach, even worse than Marrone.

This post made me think about Dave Rader for the first time in 18 years.....

As for CKD, the guy's a winner. 8-2 in his first year in the SEC with a meat-grinder of a schedule bodes well whatever happens the rest of the way this year. He's adapted his scheme to this personnel well and has also adjusted his demeanor as the season's gone on. He's a quick learner, and I think behind the laid-back facade is a fierce competitor - you don't have a record like his without being one.

As for Ty, he's said before he's Bama for the duration. That can always change but my guess is he has a Mac Jones - type year if he does earn the job next season.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The hesitancy I have with Ty is he currently sits at zero starts and has very little game experience. In a normal situation this wouldn't be the end all be all but in a CKD offense, the QB is the meat and the potatoes of the scheme. To get Washington'esque numbers (Over 500 yards total offense/game), we are going to need a Penix'esque type signal caller. Penix took his lumps and developed at Indiana before he jumped into the starting position at UW. This is why it wouldn't surprise me if we went and got a seasoned veteran QB to run the offense next year. It is also why I still think Russell could come in and be a threat for the position. He has the arm talent to do the things CKD is going to want to do moving forward. Once again, I'm not saying Ty can't get it done, I just want to see him show me more (which in his defense he hasn't really had an opportunity to do), before I can go out on a limb and say he definitively is the QB-in-waiting.

But unless it was a quarterback already familiar with DeBoer's system he'd be starting further back than Ty currently would be. Granted, game experience is invaluable, but knowing the system is not that far behind either. By the time September roles around next season Ty and the currently QB's should know CKD's system inside and out because they've already been in some of it for a full year. We're running a limited version of his offense now. That's why it's a huge improvement over last year's offense.

 

[cdub55]

But unless it was a quarterback already familiar with DeBoer's system he'd be starting further back than Ty currently would be. Granted, game experience is invaluable, but knowing the system is not that far behind either. By the time September roles around next season Ty and the currently QB's should know CKD's system inside and out because they've already been in some of it for a full year. We're running a limited version of his offense now. That's why it's a huge improvement over last year's offense.

I'm definitely not saying this is the best case scenario. We have seen guys such as Cam Ward, who have the moxie, experience, and whatnot to come in through portal acquisition and have an immediate impact on a team. I'm sure CKD's offense is cutting edge, but I'd be shocked if it isn't also somewhat "user friendly". I don't know Cam Ward or Penix but I also did a quick Google search and didn't see their names pop up as a National Merit Finalist or Nobel Prize recipient. We see guys in the NFL join teams the week of and start on Sunday. There is a lot of carry over from passing system to passing system. Obviously the more time in a particular system, the more in depth to it you would be, but I personally would take someone who is Joe Burrow like over a Payton Thorne replacement just because "they know the system better".

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm definitely not saying this is the best case scenario. We have seen guys such as Cam Ward, who have the moxie, experience, and whatnot to come in through portal acquisition and have an immediate impact on a team. I'm sure CKD's offense is cutting edge, but I'd be shocked if it isn't also somewhat "user friendly". I don't know Cam Ward or Penix but I also did a quick Google search and didn't see their names pop up as a National Merit Finalist or Nobel Prize recipient. We see guys in the NFL join teams the week of and start on Sunday. There is a lot of carry over from passing system to passing system. Obviously the more time in a particular system, the more in depth to it you would be, but I personally would take someone who is Joe Burrow like over a Payton Thorne replacement just because "they know the system better".

Simpson will be a RS Junior, and again, I get game experience is valuable, but it's not the end all be all. Mac Jones only had two games under his belt when he took over. Those two games helped him but weren't the cornerstone of his success. His being older, in college three to four years played more of a role than those two games. I also think it's a little early to already be worrying about Simpson as the quarterback. Heck, the board spent over half the year explaining why Simpson should be playing over Milroe. Now we're already worrying if Simpson will be the right guy for next year. LOL! Let's pump the brakes a bit.

 

[UAH]

Simpson will be a RS Junior, and again, I get game experience is valuable, but it's not the end all be all. Mac Jones only had two games under his belt when he took over. Those two games helped him but weren't the cornerstone of his success. His being older, in college three to four years played more of a role than those two games. I also think it's a little early to already be worrying about Simpson as the quarterback. Heck, the board spent over half the year explaining why Simpson should be playing over Milroe. Now we're already worrying if Simpson will be the right guy for next year. LOL! Let's pump the brakes a bit.

Just read an article that the NFL draft isn't looking positive for Quinn Ewers and with Manning being next years starter, Ewers is a portal candidate, and the projected number one team to benefit from that would be Alabama. Many a slip between cup and lip but it is obviously a talking point.

 

[B1GTide]

Just read an article that the NFL draft isn't looking positive for Quinn Ewers and with Manning being next years starter, Ewers is a portal candidate, and the projected number one team to benefit from that would be Alabama. Many a slip between cup and lip but it is obviously a talking point.

Ewers is a top 5 pick.