DeBoer tells how he’ll juggle the Rose Bowl and transfer portal prep

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

With college football’s postseason and the transfer portal opening colliding in January, it is no secret that the NCAA has created a major scheduling issue for many teams.

For Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, along with other coaches of teams with games yet to be played, he now has to contend with Rose Bowl preparation and the opening of the transfer portal.

The transfer portal, which opens on Jan. 2, one day after the Tide plays Indiana in the Rose Bowl, is similar to high school recruiting; it requires time and effort to be successful.

So, with preparation for the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals and the portal opening soon after, DeBoer will have a rough stretch ahead of him in the next couple of weeks.

DeBoer told reporters on Monday about how he’ll juggle both responsibilities.

“I think there’s conversations the coaches are continuing to have,” DeBoer said. “Just our antennas are up. The one thing I appreciate about our whole team, and that’s coaches and players together, I think there’s really strong relationships and conversations that can be had in a way where it can be really up front and honest, and talk through things. And there’s a care that these guys have for each other, to where first and foremost, we want to take advantage of what we’ve done all season. This is why you’ve done all the work: to be able to play this game. But there also is a reality of that time coming, when the portal does open. And just talking through any of the what-ifs, any of the different scenarios, and every guy’s situation is different. Just kind of making sure that if there is any type of, I don’t want to call it a red flag, but anything that you kind of think might happen, let’s talk about. We’ve been open, and I think that’s how we’ve retained a lot of our roster at different times at different levels over the last year-and-a-half, two years. That’s what I would hope we can continue to do with our coaching staff and relationships, as well as our players and the way they care about the program, as well as this season and finishing strong.”

Although the portal has not opened yet, many players around the nation have already declared their intentions to enter, and there are plenty more with unannounced plans.

DeBoer will have to navigate a difficult new year cycle, one that will consist of ensuring a victory in the Rose Bowl and what may come after, but also one that requires attention to be placed on many players who may be looking to transfer in or out of Tuscaloosa.