Kalen DeBoer prioritizes what has ‘to stay a strength’ for Alabama in 2026

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer encourages his players as they warm up before the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Alabama football’s head coach Kalen DeBoer is proud of the strides the Crimson Tide made when it came to eliminating penalties in 2025.

The Tide was among the teams in the SEC with the fewest penalties last season. Georgia and Florida were the only two SEC teams with fewer penalties than Alabama in 2025.

DeBoer felt the amount of transition Alabama went through during his first season in Tuscaloosa played a role in the Tide’s struggles with penalties.

“Two years ago, we — and I don’t think we were necessarily undisciplined — there was just a lot of moving pieces and a lot of guys probably overthinking, a step slow, and now you get a holding call, defensive passing interference,” DeBoer said. “But we went from one of the bottom teams in the league penalty-wise to the best, so that’s got to stay a strength.”

Year three under Kalen DeBoer comes with continuity at some key spots on Alabama’s roster and on the Tide’s staff. Kane Wommack and Ryan Grubb are both returning as the Tide’s offensive and defensive coordinators.

Alabama’s secondary is also returning plenty of experience. However, there are a lot of new faces elsewhere for the Tide at some key positions, and the challenge that comes with a lot of transition could peak its head out in the way of penalties if DeBoer and company do not continue to prioritize eliminating penalties.