Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is in the spotlight as the Crimson Tide navigate an offseason of uncertainty after a disappointing finish to the 2025 season, which included losses in the SEC Championship Game and the Rose Bowl. DeBoer lost quarterback Ty Simpson to the NFL Draft process and is overseeing a quarterback battle in Tuscaloosa.
The focus in spring practice has been on the battle between sophomore Keelon Russell and redshirt junior Austin Mack, who was Simpson’s backup last season.
Chris Vannini Details Kalen DeBoer’s Area of Focus
During Monday’s segment of the “Bunch Formation” podcast, analyst Chris Vannini discussed the factors DeBoer should focus on for Alabama next season, aside from the quarterback battle.
“I think the bigger question for Alabama is not gonna be quarterback, where they’ll probably be okay,” Vannini said. “It’s the lines, running the ball that’s gotta be better and we’re not gonna know until we get to the fall.”
In DeBoer’s first season after succeeding Nick Saban in 2024, the Crimson Tide ranked No. 47 in the country, averaging 174.2 rushing yards per game. In 2025, the run game struggled, as Alabama finished near the bottom of the FBS, averaging over 100 yards per game.
DeBoer Addresses Alabama’s Run Game
While speaking to reporters after Alabama’s A-Day scrimmage on Saturday, DeBoer addressed the Crimson Tide’s run game and its improvement after spring practice.
“A couple seams at times that I remember, I think with the ones and that is really who you are trying to hone in on. Both sides of the ball, trying to keep it simple and get guys out there,” DeBoer said. “There is more complexity that you can have with the defensive scheme. There are more things that you can do offensively as well.
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“I think there are a few things that we can hang our hat on that we can execute well. There were some backs who you guys saw that stood out. Who can make the cuts and ran some people over when they needed to. Who got it done and maybe who has some more work to do.”
Despite leading the Crimson Tide to the SEC Championship Game and a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff field, DeBoer is overseeing a transition period as Alabama continues to adapt in the post-Nick Saban era.
