CBS Sports ranks Kalen DeBoer among the Top 25 Power 4 football coaches

Nov 9, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer reacts to a touchdown scored against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

CBS Sports ranked Kalen DeBoer as the No. 9 power four coach in college football.

DeBoer is set to begin his second year as the head coach of the Crimson Tide this fall.

Alabama went 9-4 under DeBoer in 2024 after he took over in Tuscaloosa when Nick Saban retired. The season had its fair share of ups and downs as the Tide defeated Georgia at home and lost to Vanderbilt on the road.

“Nobody envies the spot DeBoer was put in last season,” CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli wrote. “Well, OK, plenty of coaches probably wish they could coach at Alabama, but they don’t want to be the coach who replaces Nick Saban. All things considered, it went well enough for DeBoer. There were bumps along the way (as well as some hilarious discussion of how DeBoer dresses on game days), but the Tide was still in the hunt for a playoff spot, which is the expectation every season. I’m very interested in seeing what Year 2 brings in Tuscaloosa.”

Gerogia’s Kirby Smart is ranked as the No. 1 coach in college football by CBS Sports. Ryan Day (Ohio State), Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Steve Sarkisian (Clemson), Dan Lanning (Oregon), Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), James Franklin (Penn State) and Brian Kelly are ranked above DeBoer in that order.

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