DeBoer asked what Alabama needs to do to get back to top of college football

Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer walks the sidelines in his black hoodie during the game with LSU at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

The Alabama Crimson Tide will look to secure their first National Championship under head coach Kalen DeBoer in 2026. 

DeBoer will undoubtedly be under immense pressure throughout his third season as the Tide’s head coach. Alabama was able to secure its first playoff victory since 2021 under DeBoer in 2025, and the Tide will now look to build upon last year’s success moving forward. 

DeBoer was asked how the Crimson Tide could once again reach the top of college football in 2026 at SEC Media Days. The head coach believes that the team must stay true to themselves across the entire campaign. 

“We always want to have that expectation that you’re referring to,” DeBoer said. “And we felt like we’d righted a wrong a little bit last year, compared to the year before, with some of the things we accomplished, but we also understand we fell short of what our expectations are and internally, just have to continue to improve. I think that’s my experiences over the years, is you can see what the bar is at and sometimes you can look at it and say you’re this close and sometimes you’re you’re further away and sometimes the perspective and the way you look at it. We gotta make sure we continue to keep our strengths in order and who we are, understanding our identity and continue to learn from those things that have happened to us both good and bad, be better, keep the focus on what we can control,” DeBoer said. “That’s the next play, the next moment, the next game, whatever is in front of us.”

DeBoer and the Tide ended the 2025 season with an overall record of 11-4. Alabama football as a whole will look to play at an even higher level in 2026, and DeBoer’s comments are ultimately an excellent sign prior to fall camp.