
Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural season as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2024 was marked by significant achievements and unexpected challenges, culminating in a 9-4 record.
DeBoer, who succeeded the legendary Nick Saban on January 12, 2024, began his tenure with high expectations. The Crimson Tide entered the season ranked fifth in both the preseason AP and Coaches Polls.
The season commenced impressively with a commanding 63-0 victory over Western Kentucky, signaling a strong start under DeBoer’s leadership. This momentum continued with wins against South Florida (42-16) and a notable 42-10 triumph over Wisconsin in Madison—their first visit there since 1928.
A pivotal moment came when Alabama faced second-ranked Georgia. The Crimson Tide secured a 41-34 victory, ending Georgia’s 42-game regular-season winning streak and propelling Alabama to the top spot in the AP Poll.
However, the season’s trajectory shifted with a surprising 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt, marking Alabama’s first defeat to the Commodores since 1984. This was followed by a narrow 27-25 win over South Carolina and a 24-17 loss to Tennessee.
The team rebounded with a 34-0 shutout against Missouri and a decisive 42-13 victory over LSU in Baton Rouge. A subsequent 52-7 win against Mercer showcased the team’s resilience.
Nonetheless, a 24-3 loss to Oklahoma marked the first time since 2010 that Alabama suffered three regular-season defeats. The regular season concluded on a positive note with a 28-14 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl, extending Alabama’s winning streak in the rivalry to five games.
Alabama was selected to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan, a rematch of the previous season’s Rose Bowl. The game ended in a 19-13 loss, concluding the season with a 9-4 record and ending a 16-year streak of winning 10 or more games.
Opinions on DeBoer’s first season are mixed. Some analysts, like Ari Wasserman of On3, assert that DeBoer “aced” his inaugural year, highlighting the challenges of succeeding a coaching legend and maintaining a competitive program. Conversely, former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron criticized the current team’s focus, suggesting that distractions such as social media and NIL deals have impacted performance.
The season’s ups and downs reflect the complexities of transitioning to new leadership after Saban’s storied tenure. DeBoer’s ability to secure significant victories, such as the win over Georgia, demonstrates potential, while unexpected losses indicate areas for growth.
As Alabama moves forward, the focus will be on how DeBoer addresses these challenges, adapts to the evolving landscape of college football, and strives to uphold the program’s tradition of excellence.