Kalen DeBoer of Alabama was ranked the ninth-best coach in CFB by On3 Sports

All things considered, the Kalen DeBoer era is off to a great start for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Sure there will be some unhappiness amongst the fanbase, and justifiably so, with four losses including an ugly bowl loss, but that doesn’t paint the bigger picture.

Being the guy after the guy (Saban) was never going to be an easy task, but neither is reaching 10 wins and DeBoer was just a play or two away from achieving that in 2024. However, the future is bright in Tuscaloosa with Ryan Williams and an elite incoming recruiting class. DeBoer has won everywhere he has been, and with his feet now wet in the SEC I think we will see that success translate in 2025.

Going into the 2025 season, Ari Wasserman of On3 Sports ranks DeBoer as the ninth best coach in the country and the third highest in the SEC saying,

There is no question that DeBoer’s on-the-field results at Alabama in his first year have people in Tuscaloosa grumbling. But we’re talking about a coach who led Washington — yes, Washington — to the national title game a few years ago, which is more than some coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame have done. DeBoer also willingly replaced Nick Saban at Alabama, which is the type of confidence you need in someone leading a program with the standard that high. DeBoer has already proven he can recruit at the level necessary to keep Alabama at the top. This program may not be a dynasty anymore, but it’s days of competing at the highest level are far from over.

To the surprise of none, Georgia’s Kirby Smart tops the list with Ryan Day and Dan Lanning just behind him. NFL legend and North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick comes in at No. 23, with Auburn’s Hugh Freeze being left off entirely.

DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will next be in action for the Spring A-Day game on April 12th.