After 9 games we're 7-2. Let's revisit our thoughts and outlook on Coach Kalen DeBoer

[Bamabuzzard]

Outside of the Vandy game, it seems our season has been exactly on pace with what a lot of us predicted. Many predicted we'd lose at least one (possibly all three) to UGA, LSU, or UcheaT. We only lost one of those games BUT we had the hiccup against Vandy. But either way, we're sitting at 7-2 through nine games in with three very, very winnable games.

After seeing some of the ups and downs then ups again by Kalen DeBoer. What are your thoughts about him and his future at Alabama?

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I think he is doing an awesome job!

So glad that we have him!!

 

[MikeInBama]

I texted a buddy of mine: "The deathstar is fully operational" I think the coaching staff and team have turned a corner and found an identity. Whether that translates to a championship(s) this year, depends on luck, avoiding injuries but when we're on there is no one who can beat us.

 

[BamaHoopsBoi]

I'm very glad that he is our coach. It's kind of crazy that we are 7-2 with a first year coach. At this point in the year we are looking pretty good.

I think it can only go up from here as DeBoer implements more of his system and gets more of his players into the program.

 

[81usaf92]

We hired the right guy and we could still win it all if we stay focused.

 

[Power Eye]

I thought we'd go 10-2 in the regular season with losses to UGA and at Oklahoma. Good news is that Oklahoma is nothing like I thought they'd be.

As for how the coaching staff has done, I think the verdict is still out for me. I want to see if we've really turned a corner and how we do in these last three games and if we can put Auburn and Oklahoma away like we should be able to. The feeling a lot of us have right now is very similar to the feeling after the UGA game. I would be terrified if we were playing Oklahoma this coming weekend.

At no point before or during this season have I expected a national title. That's too much to ask in year one no matter how stocked the cupboard is. I did expect a playoff appearance, and I feel like we control our own destiny in mid November to make it, which is about as much as I can ask.

There are things that I think the coaching staff still needs to work on, like instilling more discipline and managing the clock better. I still think we have too many penalties and do a poor job of communicating and getting plays in.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Anyone who assumed there wouldn't be a learning curve - both from the staff and the coaches - was delusional. A staff that's largely never worked together takes over a team they (largely) didn't recruit and has to get them all working as a unit - this always takes a bit of time, especially playing a schedule as tough as Bama plays.

Things are starting to click now. It's probably too early to say the lights have come on for the players, but it looks like that might be the case. if it is, and if they continue to do the work and play more and more in the flow state, the ceiling for this team is another NC.

 

[81usaf92]

I would add this… Coach Womack is probably the guy ,or going to be the guy when he gets his players, that will resemble what many have been wishing for since Pruitt. I think we are starting to see its potential. You could argue that had the offense just did 10% more in Neyland that we would’ve emptied two stadiums on the road with how great our defense has played.

Yes Vandy is still an eyesore game for our defense, but after watching the Ole Miss vs UGA game and our game…. I don’t think the Saban defense is the end all be all defense that some believe. We just totally shut down one of the most dominant passing games on the road, and against an offensive line that had given up the least sacks in the conference.

 

[mlh]

Things are starting to come together. This was a huge change on both sides of the ball. Probably more disruptive than most of us thought it would be. But I think CKD is a great hire and the future looks very bright for the Tide.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I thought we'd go 10-2 in the regular season with losses to UGA and at Oklahoma. Good news is that Oklahoma is nothing like I thought they'd be.


There are things that I think the coaching staff still needs to work on, like instilling more discipline and managing the clock better. I still think we have too many penalties and do a poor job of communicating and getting plays in.

Yes, and I think CKD expects this as well. He lit into one assistant on the sidelines during the game because he had to use a timeout because we couldn't get the right personnel on the field quickly enough. I'm not sure if it was the weather or what, but I was excited we committed to the run because it brought out a physicality in the team I haven't seen all year.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I would add this… Coach Womack is probably the guy ,or going to be the guy when he gets his players, that will resemble what many have been wishing for since Pruitt. I think we are starting to see its potential. You could argue that had the offense just did 10% more in Neyland that we would’ve emptied two stadiums on the road with how great our defense has played.

Yes Vandy is still an eyesore game for our defense, but after watching the Ole Miss vs UGA game and our game…. I don’t think the Saban defense is the end all be all defense that some believe. We just totally shut down one of the most dominant passing games on the road, and against an offensive line that had given up the least sacks in the conference.

Lane attacked the same part of Kirby's defense that most very good passing teams attacked Sabans. Saban's defenses were soft down the seams/over the middle and very complex to learn. We're nine games in and it appears our guys are starting to get the hang of this defense. However, we really do need to land a stud DL for the middle to take this defense from good to dominant. But so does everyone else in the conference not named South Carolina who obviously hit on the recruiting trail with their DL.

 

[uaintn]

I will just add that if we can hold on to the commits we have, his recruiting has been excellent.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Despite a few hiccups I never thought we did anything but hire the right Coach and the Best available Coach.

I thought we would either be 9-3 or 10-2 this year with a chance at making the CFP and we are right on pace.

I'll admit to wavering in belief about Kane but the last few games the Defense has been just flat Awesome so this might still be a great DC hire.

My outlook for this season is I think we get to 10-2 and either a Top 8 seed w/ a Home playoff game or a Ticket to play Texas for SECCG and a Top 4 Seed Bye in the CFP.

My outlook for the future is that whether it's this year or next year or a soon to be year after that we WILL win a NC with CKD and every year he will have us in Contention.

 

[81usaf92]

Lane attacked the same part of Kirby's defense that most very good passing teams attacked Sabans. Saban's defenses were soft down the seams/over the middle and very complex to learn. We're nine games in and it appears our guys are starting to get the hang of this defense. However, we really do need to land a stud DL for the middle to take this defense from good to dominant. But so does everyone else in the conference not named South Carolina who obviously hit on the recruiting trail with their DL.

Im just shocked that Lane committed to attacking the obvious weakness in the Saban defense and Sark didn’t. It kinda makes me think that Ole Miss may have a better team chemistry wise than Texas does because it’s been obvious for years that you destroy Alabama and Georgia defenses by hitting the middle through the air.

I think if in this cycle we get a good DL and a good group of linebackers then we will be very good next year on defense. I also believe Hubbard may be better back there than Saab at running this defense. So that may have unintentionally changed things too.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Im just shocked that Lane committed to attacking the obvious weakness in the Saban defense and Sark didn’t. It kinda makes me think that Ole Miss may have a better team chemistry wise than Texas does because it’s been obvious for years that you destroy Alabama and Georgia defenses by hitting the middle through the air.

I think if in this cycle we get a good DL and a good group of linebackers then we will be very good next year on defense. I also believe Hubbard may be better back there than Saab at running this defense. So that may have unintentionally changed things too.

I don't know what to think about Texas, at times they look like an unstoppable offensive juggernaut then look very pedestrian. I still don't think they've played anybody other than UGA and we saw what happened on that one. I'd like to play them in the SEC title game and give Milroe a redemption shot at them. I know that game still soaks in his mind.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

Also I posted before CKD did something in his first season that CNS did not do in November ,Remember in 2007 CNS did not win a game in November was 0-4 in first season . again I believe we made the right hire.

 

[rolltide_21]

We absolutely have the right guy. He’s navigated the season well. And, he’s killing it in recruiting. The job doesn’t seem too big for him too. That’s what I was most worried about. He seems as “cool as the other side of the pillow” (shout out to the late Stuart Scott). A nice change of pace in a good way from Saban’s intensity.

 

[mlingerfelt31]

Let me add first year HC always lose a game they are not supposed to and win when they are not if CKD can the 3 remaining games which he should and believe he will 10-2 his first year would be awesome, since Bear none of the first year coach won no more than 8.

 

[bamaclimber]

I was pretty discouraged by what I saw over 10 quarters of football from the 2nd half of the Georgia game through the South Carolina game. I was critical because it appeared to me that the team was getting worse, not better, on the little things - the fundamentals - blocking, tackling, discipline, effort.

If I'm going to be critical, then I also have to give credit where credit is due. There have been big steps forward over the past 8 quarters, especially on defense. It appears the staff had done a great job keeping the team focused and not distracted by all the noise. And the defense now looks like it wants to be playing football, unlike in the Vandy and South Carolina games. Very pleased with the intensity and effort I've seen over the past two games. That's good coaching.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Also I posted before CKD did something in his first season that CNS did not do in November ,Remember in 2007 CNS did not win a game in November was 0-4 in first season . again I believe we made the right hire.

I think CKD is doing a great job but that's not a fair comparison.

CNS was dealing with Shula's players and roster and on Top of that had a bunch of players suspended for giving away Textbooks.