News Article: Great article that shows where CKD's mind is (OL, DBs and DL).

[4Q Basket Case]

DeBoer clearly sees what we’ve all seen: need for improvement in the OL, the running game, and general physicality — obviously inter-related issues.

He’s publicly acknowledged, and is trying to fix, all of them. I think he’ll be successful.

That doesn’t mean the 2026 OL will make us forget the 2012 version. In 2025, we were in the bottom five of the 130+/- teams in the FBS and FCS in rushing success rate. So being just mediocre would represent a significant improvement.

I agree with other posters that S&C may need some personnel changes similar to what DeBoer did with the OL. With exactly zero inside information, I'd bet that DeBoer considered it, but decided that starting all over on the OL coaches and players was enough upheaval for one season.

 

[Cruloc]

This week I've read quotes from CKD stating physicality is what it takes to have a championship team and that's what they've been missing and were going to bring back into the program. If he truly said that, then it means "he gets it". He saw what we've seen the first two years of his tenure and that's an Alabama program that's gotten pushed around (physically) on the field.

That "sounds" promising that he seems to "get it" and will make the necessary changes. He hasn't had to instill that kind of physicality in his programs before so I would say he's learning on the fly here. May take a bit for it to work.

 

[Cruloc]

DeBoer clearly sees what we’ve all seen: need for improvement in the OL, the running game, and general physicality — obviously inter-related issues.

He’s publicly acknowledged, and is trying to fix, all of them. I think he’ll be successful.

That doesn’t mean the 2026 OL will make us forget the 2012 version. Given where we were in 2025 — the bottom five in the whole NCAA in rushing success rate — just mediocre would be a significant improvement.

I agree with other posters that S&C may need some personnel changes similar to what DeBoer did with the OL.

A S&C change seems inevitable. Which still means the physicality will take a few years to get going.

But, you're right, at least we see that DeBoer sees the problems and is trying to fix them. That leads to success.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

That "sounds" promising that he seems to "get it" and will make the necessary changes. He hasn't had to instill that kind of physicality in his programs before so I would say he's learning on the fly here. May take a bit for it to work.

It's the first time (since he's been the Bama coach) that he's alluded to the program not having any physicality in it. So that is a big deal to me because up until this point he has hardly even uttered one negative thing about the program. Saying the program lacked physicality for the last two years is a big admission, which means he's gotten into a different mindset than when he first got here.

 

[Con]

That Florida State game was indeed an embarrassment. I think both the coaches and players read too much of their own press clippings. I will give DeBoer kudos for how he handled the aftermath. He got that team focused and turned it around. Lesser coaches would have folded with the ire and angst that flooded the Alabama fan nation following that stinker. The losses to Oklahoma and Georgia and to a lesser extent Indiana can be attributed greatly to the injury bug and the head cases on our OL who seemed to disappear at times. DeBoer recognized part of this with the wholesale change with OL personnel and a new OL coach. The next change may need to come with our strength and conditioning group. If players aren't worked out, given proper nutrition and conditioned well, then injuries will be everywhere (like last year)

Yep. He could have been like Dubose and just laid an egg after the loss to UCLA.

 

[arthurdawg]

It's the first time (since he's been the Bama coach) that he's alluded to the program not having any physicality in it. So that is a big deal to me because up until this point he has hardly even uttered one negative thing about the program. Saying the program lacked physicality for the last two years is a big admission, which means he's gotten into a different mindset than when he first got here.

Weird thing is... Practice reports from early last year repeatedly said we looked more physical than in several years... Not sure where that went. And some of the reporters were Saban dudes.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Weird thing is... Practice reports from early last year repeatedly said we looked more physical than in several years... Not sure where that went. And some of the reporters were Saban dudes.

Yeah, I can't explain that one. LOL!

 

[JDCrimson]

Physicality comes from the coaching and the playbook too.

But overall S&C started declining when Dr. Rhea left for the Saints.

 

[day-day]

There has been some level of a strength and conditioning program underway since DeBoer arrived. I don't see it taking a couple of years before meaningful improvement takes place if a major change is made to the program. It is not like starting from scratch.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Physicality comes from the coaching and the playbook too.

But overall S&C started declining when Dr. Rhea left for the Saints.

Wonder if he would be interested in returning?

 

[CrimsonTitles]

There has been some level of a strength and conditioning program underway since DeBoer arrived. I don't see it taking a couple of years before meaningful improvement takes place if a major change is made to the program. It is not like starting from scratch.

I think the problem is that is the same. We were already experienciing the S&C decline before Saban ever left (As JDCrimson already said, we started seeing a decline when the doc left in 2022). We hired the tandem, and now all we have is the one. The issue is that a new S&C would take a few years to see progress (as you just stated), so that's probably why Coach wanted continuity there. That, and I believe they were at Indiana together. But you can bet if its an issue yet again, CKD will make a change next off-season. At this point, it doesn't matter if it takes a few years because we can only go up.

 

[mlh]

There has been some level of a strength and conditioning program underway since DeBoer arrived. I don't see it taking a couple of years before meaningful improvement takes place if a major change is made to the program. It is not like starting from scratch.

This is another area where NIL and the transfer portal take a toll. If you're replacing half your roster every year, you're not able to establish a "S&C program" so you gotta recruit (hire) guys who are physical specimens when they arrive on campus.

 

[arthurdawg]

This is another area where NIL and the transfer portal take a toll. If you're replacing half your roster every year, you're not able to establish a "S&C program" so you gotta recruit (hire) guys who are physical specimens when they arrive on campus.

And the impetus to bring in older dudes. Indiana was almost 23 on average last year.

We were 20.

I'm glad we recruit well, but 3 years of training and muscle is a massive advantage...

 

[bamamc1]

Many of the players that showed that 'softness' over the last two years were Saban recruits. The last 2-3 years Saban seemed to lose his touch a little when it came to talent evaluation and recruiting (especially OL). We have a new OL coach and a whole slue of new OL players. The RB's (minus Najee Harris) have also been suspect. I want to see how all of this comes to together this year. I think it was the players and CKD just needed a little time (plus coaching changes) to adjust to SEC play. We shall see

Yet two of those oline recruits that CNS got to Tuscaloosa were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Lack of oline coaching was the problem period.

 

[arthurdawg]

Yet two of those oline recruits that CNS got to Tuscaloosa were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Lack of oline coaching was the problem period.

Curious indeed... I still think our left tackle was just too big and thus too slow to be truly effective, despite having the talent... Drop 40 lbs and see what happens or he has to move inside. But he is a bit tall for a guard.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Curious indeed... I still think our left tackle was just too big and thus too slow to be truly effective, despite having the talent... Drop 40 lbs and see what happens or he has to move inside. But he is a bit tall for a guard.

Losing that forty pounds would’ve raised his consistency tremendously.

Being so overweight is why I think he just flashed his brilliance instead of shined.

 

[denver]

Its good to hear the acknowledgement of lack of physicality, but that mentality starts with the HC...until it shows on the field every drive, then I'm still a skeptic...I do hope we get back there though..true Bama football. Time to dish out punishment again.

 

[TDBama78]

Losing that forty pounds would’ve raised his consistency tremendously.

Being so overweight is why I think he just flashed his brilliance instead of shined.

I don't think his weight is going to get better, he eats pretty regular, NFL might make it worse,we'll see.

 

[graydogg85]

DeBoer clearly sees what we’ve all seen: need for improvement in the OL, the running game, and general physicality — obviously inter-related issues.

He’s publicly acknowledged, and is trying to fix, all of them. I think he’ll be successful.

That doesn’t mean the 2026 OL will make us forget the 2012 version. In 2025, we were in the bottom five of the 130+/- teams in the FBS and FCS in rushing success rate. So being just mediocre would represent a significant improvement.

I agree with other posters that S&C may need some personnel changes similar to what DeBoer did with the OL. With exactly zero inside information, I'd bet that DeBoer considered it, but decided that starting all over on the OL coaches and players was enough upheaval for one season.

I agree with this. One of the more redeeming qualities of CKD thus far is that he seems adept at identifying and correcting (or at least trying to correct) problem spots. Turnovers and penalties were a major issue in 2024, and hugely improved in 2025. I think he knows the run game and OL were a mess in 2025 and has been pretty intentional about correcting it. We will see how effective those changes are - and I know I’m beating a dead horse here but I’ll continue to remind everyone that the CKD offense (and especially when Grubb is involved) is essentially the Air Raid with tight ends. I think 2025 made them realize the need to be more intentional with the run game but I can assure you we aren’t looking like the 2008 or 2011 teams this upcoming season. If we get the QB and WR production we anticipate and are merely situationally effective in the run game, it’ll pay huge dividends. This will always be a QB-centric offense but much of the modern game has trended that way anyway.

I’m still a big CKD fan, I’m glad we got him and I think he was the best available at the time we made the hire. That said, in today’s environment I think we need to get comfortable with his ceiling being lower than CNS, and also with his floor likely being much higher than say the Mikes or Perkins / Curry. If CKD sticks around I expect the net cumulative results to be closer to the Stallings era. I think the UA administration is good with that in light of the portal, NIL, etc., regardless of whether or not the fans are.

Just my take.