What Alabama football implemented to cut down penalties last season

Nov 29, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer talks to referees during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images

Alabama football cut down on penalties last season after they were a thorn in the side for the Crimson Tide during Kalen DeBoer’s first season and the early part of the 2025 season.

The Crimson Tide committed 95 penalties, and they resulted in 897 yards in 2024. That number was cut down to 67 penalties last season for 596 yards, finishing as the No. 37th FBS team in fewest penalties committed.

Zabien Brown was asked what went into this change at SEC Media Days.

“It was a big emphasis talking, like in our team meetings, talking through the rules, the rule books, or this penalty is this many yards and showing a lot of clips like, look, something this small can get you this and making it a big emphasis,” Brown said. “I feel like it reflected during the season.”

After Alabama football lost to Florida State last season, DeBoer revealed there were consequences for penalties.

“There’s a lot of consequences that go along, especially the foolish penalties,” DeBoer said Monday. “The ones that happened after the whistle and things like that. That will continue to be the case. There’s just got to be better judgment when you get into those spots, and you know the quarterback will be protected and you can’t live in that gray area.”