College football has undergone many changes in recent seasons. New rules, a completely re-formatted College Football Playoff, a wide-open transfer portal and mass conference realignment. However, heading into the 2024 season, one of the biggest changes will be the fact that the legendary Nick Saban won’t be coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Saban announced his retirement shortly after the conclusion of the 2023 season, and Alabama wasted no time in finding his successor. Former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer is now at the helm of the Crimson Tide program.
Expectations are somewhat mitigated for DeBoer in his first season, but with what he inherited, there’s still belief that the team should be in contention to not just reach the College Football Playoff, but that Alabama can compete for a national championship.
If the worst-case scenario becomes a reality for the Crimson Tide in 2024, what does that mean for DeBoer? Well, Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports states that the situation may be “all good… for now.”
Dodd recently assigned a rating to all 134 FBS college football head coaches based on the possibility of them being on a “hot seat” in the upcoming season. For those who aren’t sure what that means, it’s just asking how likely the coach in question may be fired for poor performance.
DeBoer’s job is more likely than not safe, even if the season does not end how fans might hope. With such a drastic change, some bumps in the road should be expected. However, that is not a license for DeBoer to have a losing season or to serve as an ineffective head coach. It simply means that there’s some flexibility, even if his first season doesn’t pick up exactly where Saban left off.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 college football season approaches.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM.