Alabama Football After Saban: A New Era, A New Identity-and Big Questions
For nearly two decades, Alabama football wasn’t just a program-it was the program. The standard.
The measuring stick. But with Nick Saban’s retirement on January 10, 2024, that era officially closed.
And while Kalen DeBoer is now at the helm in Tuscaloosa, the SEC spotlight has shifted. Alabama is no longer the automatic headliner.
In the eyes of many around the sport, including FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt, the Crimson Tide aren’t even top of mind anymore when the SEC conversation starts. That space now belongs to Georgia and Texas.
Alabama? They’re still in the room, but they’re no longer commanding it.
“We all just assume that this program is going to be just fine and they’ll be great,” Klatt said recently. “But the reality is that they have quickly descended into a place that, when I think about their conference, I don’t think about them initially.”
It’s a jarring shift, considering how long Alabama dominated not just the SEC, but the national landscape. Klatt went on to say that the Tide feel like they’re on a downward trajectory-and he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon. Even with a signature win over Georgia on the road last season, the bigger picture, in his eyes, still looks cloudy.
“They have to level out at some point in order to start going back up,” Klatt added. “But I don’t sense that moment of them leveling out. I don’t love what’s going on down there.”
That’s a strong statement, and while it may not be universally agreed upon, it speaks to the uncertainty surrounding Alabama’s future. DeBoer has a proven track record, but succeeding a legend is never easy-especially in a conference that’s only getting deeper and more competitive.
Could Lane Kiffin Be Waiting in the Wings?
And then there’s the Lane Kiffin variable.
Kiffin made headlines this offseason by jumping from Ole Miss to LSU, a move that sent shockwaves through the SEC and left Rebels fans feeling betrayed. But in true Kiffin fashion, the story might not end there.
There’s already quiet buzz about whether Kiffin could make another dramatic move-this time to Alabama, should the DeBoer era falter. It’s the kind of plot twist that feels almost too wild to consider… until you remember who we’re talking about.
Kiffin has long been linked to the Alabama job, dating back to his time as Saban’s offensive coordinator. And while there’s no concrete indication that a move is imminent, the possibility lingers. With Kiffin, it always does.
If he were to leave LSU after just one season, it would be a stunner-but not entirely out of character. And for Alabama, a coach with Kiffin’s offensive mind and SEC experience could be a tempting option if things go sideways under DeBoer.
Of course, that would come with its own set of fireworks. Kiffin has already burned bridges in Oxford, and a quick exit from Baton Rouge would make him Public Enemy No. 1 in Louisiana. But if the Alabama job opened up and he truly wanted it-as he’s hinted at in the past-it’s a risk he might be willing to take.
Where Does Alabama Go From Here?
Right now, the Crimson Tide are in unfamiliar territory. They’re still talented.
Still respected. But they’re no longer feared in the way they once were.
That doesn’t mean they can’t get back there-but it does mean the road is steeper than it’s been in a long time.
For Kalen DeBoer, the challenge is clear: restore Alabama’s place at the top of the SEC food chain. That won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen just because the jersey says “Alabama.”
The rest of the conference isn’t waiting around. Georgia has built a machine.
Texas is loaded and hungry. LSU, even with the Kiffin drama, isn’t going anywhere.
The Tide aren’t out of the picture. But for the first time in years, they’re not the main character either. And in the SEC, that’s a tough place to be.