Link: 2026 Transfer Portal

[Special K]

I've never seen so many Alabama fans so negative.

Seems like some need to become Indy fans because they are love with CC.

I wonder if they noticed that Indy beat Oregon even worse than they beat us?

I think 99% of the negativity about CDK is our fanbase not being able to come to grips with an up-start Indiana program that is being coached by an ex-Saban assistant.

We have come to the point that every time we lose a game it is a fireable offense. Will Oregon fire Dan Lanning after last night's game???

With all due respect, 99% of the negativity about CKD has nothing to do with Indiana, other than the fact his loss to them was just the latest of multiple embarassing losses over a short span of time.

2024 Losses to Vandy, UT, OU (blowout), Michigan (unranked)
2025 portal "strikeout", so "lower your expectations"
2025 losses to FSU (semi-blowout to chump team), OU, UGA (blowout), IU (blowout)

All the above coupled with a perceived 2026 portal "slow start" might lead to a bit of negativity. But it ain't about Indiana.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

I'm sorry you feel that way. "Why?" what?

Imo this staff has consistently shown that they won’t change and won’t adapt.

There are Red Flags all over the program that are a legitimate cause for concern.

Many fans keep saying things akin to “Just have faith, Be Patient, Trust the Staff, Trust they know what they are doing and can adapt and improve”

“I trust them”

My question is “Why?”

What have they done to demonstrate fixing problems and fixing flaws and being flexible and adaptable and willing to work harder?

What are the Green Flags?

The team routinely looks unprepared on game day.

The Staff routinely looks flummoxed on the sideline, in the Booth, and in front of a Mic.

There have been 6 losses out of 8 that have been throughly inexcusable.

Whether it’s getting beat as a Multiple TD favorite vs borderline .500 teams or worse or getting Hammered by Multiple TDs in a non competitive fashion.

We had the ‘General Manager’ or whatever his official Bagman title is say “We Struck Out” wrt the Portal.

We had a 1st Round NFL Draft Pick at QB just riding the bench for a year with a 3rd round guy just giving games away.

This staff has not done one thing that instills confidence and/or faith.

They routinely look like absolute buffoons.

 

[BamaMoon]

I didn't know the Colts played last night.

I'll be honest with you. My biggest issue, right now, with CKD is his demeanor. He has no fire in his belly and acts like he has no clue as to what is going on. Especially during a game. I know we can't or shouldn't fire him right now. But things can't continue the way they are. If we take a step back next year he should be gone.

I think you are expecting him to "act like" CNS.

Can you tell what CC is doing at IU when they show him on the sidelines? He looks like he's reading a novel, most of the time!

 

[AlistarWills]

Everything that made CFB unique and appealing has changed. I can’t stand the NFL but at least there’s some type of structure in place and that’s what’s driving real fans crazy

NCAA football had structure till events like $cam Newton proved the NCAA writ large no longer had any testicular fortitude.

 

[BamaMoon]

With all due respect, 99% of the negativity about CKD has nothing to do with Indiana, other than the fact his loss to them was just the latest of multiple embarassing losses over a short span of time.

2024 Losses to Vandy, UT, OU (blowout), Michigan (unranked)
2025 portal "strikeout", so "lower your expectations"
2025 losses to FSU (semi-blowout to chump team), OU, UGA (blowout), IU (blowout)

All the above coupled with a perceived 2026 portal "slow start" might lead to a bit of negativity. But it ain't about Indiana.

May not be you, but if I had a $100 for every time some body talks about how bad we are and in their next breath speaks of CC or IU in the last few days I'd be rich!

 

[BamaMoon]

It's been overlooked, I think, but a few have mentioned we signed a big 6' 4" 200lb safety from Mercer who has 2 years left to play.

I don't know how we did it with the staff doing nothing!

 

[AlistarWills]

I think you are expecting him to "act like" CNS.

Can you tell what CC is doing at IU when they show him on the sidelines? He looks like he's reading a novel, most of the time!

This is a huge problem I have. I have a close friend in this mindset. Complains about the facial expressions of CKD and equates them to “he doesn’t know what he’s doing”, and it’s all because he’s not Nick Saban and not doing Nick Saban things. He’s not screaming at people on the headset or chewing someone out. Yet I’ve heard lockerroom speeches. The man has a fire in his belly but in the public eye he is guarded in how the public sees him. Coming out of the tunnel vs UcheaT he didn’t realize a camera was on him and let it be seen and everyone loved it.

 

[BamaMoon]

This is a huge problem I have. I have a close friend in this mindset. Complains about the facial expressions of CKD and equates them to “he doesn’t know what he’s doing”, and it’s all because he’s not Nick Saban and not doing Nick Saban things. He’s not screaming at people on the headset or chewing someone out. Yet I’ve heard lockerroom speeches. The man has a fire in his belly but in the public eye he is guarded in how the public sees him. Coming out of the tunnel vs UcheaT he didn’t realize a camera was on him and let it be seen and everyone loved it.

100%

 

[CoolBreeze]

Fun thread. Keep it coming!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

You can't just demand a coach has to do something. I mean he is doing something. They're working it. They're doing the best they can with the budget given... But at same time.. just don't like how they're prioritizing other positions over OL/DL thats it. That's only issue.

Nick's words on Gameday was a clear and obvious "warning" to the Alabama staff, he basically told them "though you maybe trying hard its time to start getting it right." There's no doubt Nick knows the pulse of the boosters, alumni and the overall fans. He coached in it for 16 years. I'm sure in his being out and about being an ambassador for the program he's gotten a good feel on how hot DeBoers seat is. Be it right, wrong or indifferent, if there's not a major improvement in several areas next season his fate is all but sealed. Alabama isn't going to sit around and muddle through the waters of "just be patient " while other teams pass them by. Its just not going to happen.

I've never seen so many Alabama fans so negative.

Seems like some need to become Indy fans because they are love with CC.

I wonder if they noticed that Indy beat Oregon even worse than they beat us?

I think 99% of the negativity about CDK is our fanbase not being able to come to grips with an up-start Indiana program that is being coached by an ex-Saban assistant.

We have come to the point that every time we lose a game it is a fireable offense. Will Oregon fire Dan Lanning after last night's game???

No, youre wrong. Im ticked because the team made the same mistakes this season as they did last season. The same ones that cost us games. I see flaws that didnt get fixed from year one to year two that are on a foundational level. Those are the worst type of flaws to have and I saw not ONE indication during the season they were getting fixed. Thats whats got me bent up in knots. I see too many foundational cracks in the way this staff runs things.

 

[CoolBreeze]

The Staff routinely looks flummoxed on the sideline, in the Booth, and in front of a Mic.

Nice vocab. Gonna try to use that one at least 3 times this week.

 

[KrAzY3]

The only Portal contacts that are being widely reported are the highest ranked players, so how do we know we aren't extremely active right now? Do you know somebody in the program that is telling you this is true?

They do report signings. There are teams already with dozens of players signed. So, I know it's slow moving because that number isn't going up. Alabama, after a very bad portal last year is tied for the second least portal signings right now.

So which is it???

Three different opinions about what we are doing.

1: Throwing money at top rated players
2. Taking the CC route and offering underated players to develop
3. We're not even trying...just being lazy

This is what's wrong right now. NOBODY knows what is happening, so a bunch of people are throwing mud against the wall to see if it will stick.

Why don't we just wait and see how things develop instead of deciding Alabama doesn't matter anymore?

Just so we're clear, throwing money at the problem is being lazy. As I said, Dabo (the most stubborn portal hater in the sport) thus far has added more players in the portal than Alabama has. There is no reason to wait forever to add cheap depth pieces you uncovered via your very hard work.

Edit: It does look like Alabama added a couple more depth pieces, but the total number is still not a lot.

 

[Rocky Mtn Bob]

Kalen DeBoer would be laughing out loud, if any of his staffers told him about this very important discussion by TideFans experts.

If I'm CKD there's ZERO probability of ...
... me telling TideFans people what I'm doing in the portal.
... me allowing my staff to post portal updates on TideFans, or any other forum.
... believing I have any control of what 17 - 24 year-old kids post on their SM about their own portal activities.
... me caring at all what Rocky Mtn Bob (or any of his buddies) thinks.

 

[Cruloc]

Not true!

We can sign the Portal players any time between now and whenever. The Portal closing only means that no one can enter after that date. There is NO deadline on signings...

The deadline is when all the players have been scooped up and what's left out there are the kids that, unfortunately, had issues getting picked up by a program.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Since we are effectively in pro football now, it appears our staff has just decided to play with a 53 man roster to get ahead of the curve of everyone else...

I know the portal closes on a week but you can still sign players after the portal closes. But these kids have to enroll in a school for the semester. Or are they just going to not go to school for a semester until they find a new landing spot?

Well, awbern is notorious for changing Academic Deadlines to suit Athletics. So, I am sure many other schools will do that as well...

 

[Cruloc]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2009760427769536630

I would imagine this kid was asking for too much.....but this is a position of need for us.

 

[BamaMoon]

No, youre wrong. Im ticked because the team made the same mistakes this season as they did last season. The same ones that cost us games. I see flaws that didnt get fixed from year one to year two that are on a foundational level. Those are the worst type of flaws to have and I saw not ONE indication during the season they were getting fixed. Thats whats got me bent up in knots. I see too many foundational cracks in the way this staff runs things.

Which mistakes? OL has been bad both years, but was also under CNS.

Two years ago, we lost to a bunch of teams we were able to get revenge on this year (except OU in the regular season).

Two years ago, we couldn't complete a short pass, but excelled on long ones; this year, it was almost the opposite.

Two years ago, we had a running QB; this year, it was a throwing QB, who eventually got beaten up.

The defense improved immensely from the 1st year. It was good enough to win a NC if the offense had come together.

Now, in hindsight, the only game that's hard to explain is the opener against FSU. In SECCG against Georgia, we had no chance with the injuries. Now the game against IU doesn't look as ridiculous since they did the same with Oregon.

Someone on X has even said Alabama may have been the 2nd best team in the country behind IU. I don't believe that, but I also don't believe we have necessarily regressed and made the same mistakes as year 1 either.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

The deadline is when all the players have been scooped up and what's left out there are the kids that, unfortunately, had issues getting picked up by a program.

With high school players coming in (and soon Pro players coming back), there will ALWAYS be more players than available slots...

 

[BamaMoon]

I've read Coleman is still on campus. Some X posts have suggested it is going well.

I find it interesting that his HS teammate, Red Morgan, announced yesterday he's back for '26.

Maybe no coincidence OR maybe so???

 

[Bamabuzzard]

It was a response to a direct statement about recruiting suffering, which it is not…how can they be irrelevant if they’re not even on campus yet?

Because we now have enough history under the portal and NIL era to predict whats likely to happen with highly recruited players who dont play immediately. They leave. They no longer stay and develop. So the players in that #2 recruiting class who dont play as much to their liking in year one will be in the portal after their first season and be gone. No longer there for you to develop. So whats the good in having the #2 rated class when recent history shows a significant % of them will be gone within two years?