ESPN personality says DeBoer enters playoff with job security concerns

Photo By Cedric Mason - Touchdown Alabama

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith feels an Alabama loss to Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff will be a threat to Kalen DeBoer’s job security.

The Crimson Tide enter the playoff with a 10-3 record against one of the toughest schedules in the sport, and the future of the Alabama program looks bright with another elite recruiting class en route to Tuscaloosa. However, Smith still feels a loss would negatively impact DeBoer’s job status.

“DeBoer is a damn good coach,” Smith said. “I understand that, and I’ve heard you talking about him. The man has lost seven games in two years. Nick Saban didn’t lose seven games in his last four years combined at Alabama. There is a level of expectation, and the expectation is not to be Nick Saban, but damn it, could you come close? Win this game. Oklahoma’s offense is not great. Their quarterback has been up and down. Their defense is big time. We get that. But the bottom line is, you should be able, especially your Alabama, you got smoked in the SEC Championship Game, and it was primarily due in a lot of people’s eyes to the fact that you weren’t necessarily healthy. You were a bit beat up. We got all of that. You don’t have that excuse now. You go to Oklahoma, and you handle your business. And if you don’t, then you know what? We gonna be having a different discussion about Kalen DeBoer moving forward.”

Alabama will take on the Sooners Friday in Norman. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CST.