Following Michigan rumors, Paul Finebaum blasts Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer
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One of the most puzzling decisions in college football over the past year was Alabama’s choice to give Kalen DeBoer a new contract. The deal made DeBoer an $87.5 million man despite his limited success since taking over the program.
Alabama has not won an SEC championship or an official bowl game under DeBoer. However, prominent college football analyst Paul Finebaum recently explained why the university may have decided to extend him. According to Finebaum, the rumors linking DeBoer to Michigan’s vacant head coaching job may have been legitimate.
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On his flagship show, “The Paul Finebaum Show,” Finebaum revealed that former Alabama head coach Nick Saban confirmed there was truth to the speculation. However, Finebaum criticized DeBoer for not being forthcoming about the situation. He made the comments while responding to a caller who raised the topic.
“I mean, Saban’s an employee, as you pointed out,” Finebaum said. “I mean, he essentially confirmed [DeBoer and Michigan rumors]. So, which brings me to DeBoer. I’m not around him like you are. He does have an interesting way of approaching things, but why not just admit it? What’s the big deal?”
Finebaum has consistently expressed skepticism about both DeBoer and the Alabama team he leads. Compared to the Saban era, the program has taken a significant step backward. Recently, CBS Sports noted that Alabama ranks last in the SEC in recruiting.
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That marks a major indictment of DeBoer’s tenure and could lend credibility to the rumors. If his attention was divided, it may have affected Alabama’s recruiting efforts. Perhaps most concerning for Crimson Tide fans is that the school has not publicly addressed either the rumors or the program’s recent recruiting struggles.
The DeBoer era at Alabama is approaching a pivotal point. Finebaum believes the Crimson Tide are not legitimate national championship contenders but rather a team capable of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The 2026 season could prove to be a defining year for DeBoer. If Alabama fails to show meaningful progress, expect frustration among the fan base to grow.
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