Finebaum says DeBoer does not have ingredients to win title at Alabama

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

Alabama football’s head coach Kalen DeBoer will enter the 2026 season with massive expectations following the Crimson Tide’s success last year. 

DeBoer and the Tide held an overall record of 11-4 in 2025. Alabama was able to secure their first playoff victory since 2021, while also making an appearance in the SEC Championship game against Georgia. 

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum recently shared his thoughts on DeBoer prior to his third season as the Crimson Tide’s head coach, as Finebaum believes that Alabama will need to turn elsewhere in order to secure their next National Championship. 

“Kalen DeBoer doesn’t have the right ingredients to win a title at Alabama.” Finebaum said during an interview on “Crain & Cone.” “I think he’s capable of winning it elsewhere, I think we all saw he came within a reasonable chance at winning it at Washington. I think he can probably win one at Michigan, Alabama is different.” 

A plethora of both fans and analysts around the college football world would agree with Finebaum’s comments in regard to DeBoer. Alabama had an extremely successful season during DeBoer’s second year in Tuscaloosa, but the Crimson Tide head coach will now need to change the narrative surrounding his name in 2026.