DeBoer Gets Contract Extension and Raise

[DansVans]

Nobody doubts there is a toughness problem, you take exception to people pointing out that the end of the Saban era was the start of the decline. You point out the SEC championship, which was on the back of one of the most improbable conversions in the history of organized football. Any and all leadership fled when Saban left, and that compounded the learning curve for DeBoer, and makes these embarrassing losses happen. This is his third year, I don’t know how the leadership is going to shake out, but he’s obviously seen that the program needs more physicality to be super elite, and he’s taken steps to change that.

Coach Gene Stallings said it best, "Alabama fans expect excellence! What is wrong with that?" That sums it up best.

 

[bamajas]

Kentucky has a new coach and our game with them is in the second week of the season, which will be his first SEC game, I just don’t see us losing to them.

That's exactly the reason it could be dangerous. He pulled A&M's DC to Lexington and had a chance to re-build the roster...what if it's a better roster than under Stoops?

He's an offensive guy...so you know he's long been scheming and planning for the Bama game the moment he was hired. UK was *in the running* for Leavitt before he signed with LSU, which means he's got recruiting chops, NIL support, etc.

Had Leavitt gone there, it could've been really difficult

 

[DansVans]

My opinion doesn’t matter much either. Just as you said, it’s “not my money”. It is done and they certainly didn’t consult me along the way.

Having been in the business world for over 40 years, some of the worst decisions I’ve seen concerning promotions and raises have been based on leadership saying “we better promote them/increase their compensation” for fear of them “leaving for another job”. And this, to me, is of the same ilk. Remember the “Mike DuBose campaign” where fans flooded the AD office with fax to “give him the HC position”? Much of this IMO was driven by people “afraid he’ll get away”. By no means am I remotely suggesting that CKD is DuBose 2.0. I’m simply saying sound decisions in terms of promotions/raises/extensions should be more production based than based on emotion or fear.

I’m happy to see CKD has been willing to attempt to address some of the glaring issues over the past two seasons, particularly along the offensive line and the running game. But the question still remains: Will these changes lead to SIGNIFICANT improvement in rushing and pass blocking? This is something that is yet to be determined. Coaching changes and portal acquisitions don’t assure us of improvement, albeit a running offense that was in 120’s in college football is a rather low bar.

Like you, I’m waiting to see. This can be a decision that makes Byrne look like genius or becomes the albatross around his neck.

WE need to compare CKB to Curry not DuBose.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Coach Gene Stallings said it best, "Alabama fans expect excellence! What is wrong with that?" That sums it up best.

Blindly expecting excellence is what is wrong with Alabama fans to begin with.

There was always going to be a drop off when Saban retired. Free rein to poach the roster made it worse. DeBoer’s on the job training didn’t help.

Some on here gave him a pass for year one, so this is essentially his second year. Penalties dropped significantly last year, there was an eight game win streak, including tough games on the road. Things tailed off at the end, so he brings in a fiery offensive line coach, an analyst from Oklahoma to help with the defensive line, and he sends signals to Roach and Gillespie to shape up, or they might be cleaning out their offices. There “should” be improvement in the areas that need improving, if there’s not, and depending on the circumstances, I’ll most likely be there with the crowd that thinks this hire might have been a mistake. He’s had a lot to overcome in two seasons, this will be the first season where some of the foundation he’s laid will be evident.

Then we can judge him.

 

[DansVans]

Blindly expecting excellence is what is wrong with Alabama fans to begin with.

There was always going to be a drop off when Saban retired. Free rein to poach the roster made it worse. DeBoer’s on the job training didn’t help.

Some on here gave him a pass for year one, so this is essentially his second year. Penalties dropped significantly last year, there was an eight game win streak, including tough games on the road. Things tailed off at the end, so he brings in a fiery offensive line coach, an analyst from Oklahoma to help with the defensive line, and he sends signals to Roach and Gillespie to shape up, or they might be cleaning out their offices. There “should” be improvement in the areas that need improving, if there’s not, and depending on the circumstances, I’ll most likely be there with the crowd that thinks this hire might have been a mistake. He’s had a lot to overcome in two seasons, this will be the first season where some of the foundation he’s laid will be evident.

Then we can judge him.

So Byrne decides to give him a raise and extension? What has he done to deserve it? Since when does Alabama reward a 7-4 mediocre season? Looks to me like we are dropping expectations and the Admin is back running the Athletic Department. So it's Joab Thomas all over again?

 

[M2J]

I hate that buyout, but I do think he's a good coach and even has done a good job. This season is feels like it's fully his program and I look forward to seeing the results.

I believe he generally has a mindset and philosophy as a coach that we can agree with in terms of balance offensively. The question is can his system in terms of the run be molded with the new coaching hires and run when we need it in the SEC. The offensive line (which had talent but much of the personnel like Proctor didn't fit this system) and adjusting personnel they have on the DL to stop the run are where I'm looking for improvement. QB, Receiver, and the back 7 have proven to be strengths. But trench play is an adjustment to the SEC that matters, but brailsford transferred and worked.

On the field though, they've gotten big wins.... "Won" the SEC regular season in year 2 and I think he's beaten every SEC team he's faced once or 2x if I'm not mistaken in 2 years. I gotta say the crying about the blowouts is overstated IMO. A loss is a loss, when you've won enough games to be in the top 10 conversation with our schedule and postseason losses at that. Those losses to teams they have no business losing to are my biggest issue. Vandy was obviously more worthy than people gave them credit for, but still shouldn't have happened. Oklahoma in 24 was horrible as was Michigan and Florida State

 

[arthurdawg]

I hate that buyout, but I do think he's a good coach and even has done a good job. This season is feels like it's fully his program and I look forward to seeing the results.

I believe he generally has a mindset and philosophy as a coach that we can agree with in terms of balance offensively. The question is can his system in terms of the run be molded with the new coaching hires and run when we need it in the SEC. The offensive line (which had talent but much of the personnel like Proctor didn't fit this system) and adjusting personnel they have on the DL to stop the run are where I'm looking for improvement. QB, Receiver, and the back 7 have proven to be strengths. But trench play is an adjustment to the SEC that matters, but brailsford transferred and worked.

On the field though, they've gotten big wins.... "Won" the SEC regular season in year 2 and I think he's beaten every SEC team he's faced once or 2x if I'm not mistaken in 2 years. I gotta say the crying about the blowouts is overstated IMO. A loss is a loss, when you've won enough games to be in the top 10 conversation with our schedule and postseason losses at that. Those losses to teams they have no business losing to are my biggest issue. Vandy was obviously more worthy than people gave them credit for, but still shouldn't have happened. Oklahoma in 24 was horrible as was Michigan and Florida State

I still think we beat Michigan by a pair of TDs in 2024 if they just pull Milroe and let Ty go to work. They weren't good and couldn't move the ball... But Milroe was particularly bad even without the three fumbles which led to most (all?) of Michigan's points. A bit inexplicable, but I guess we didn't want to mess up Milroe's draft and have him back again. He simply can't read the field...

I'm hoping for a solid year where we clean things up, beat the people we should beat, and then are competitive in the tougher games and win several of them. Keep building... But the SEC schedules are just beyond ridiculous at this point.

 

[DansVans]

I still think we beat Michigan by a pair of TDs in 2024 if they just pull Milroe and let Ty go to work. They weren't good and couldn't move the ball... But Milroe was particularly bad even without the three fumbles which led to most (all?) of Michigan's points. A bit inexplicable, but I guess we didn't want to mess up Milroe's draft and have him back again. He simply can't read the field...

I'm hoping for a solid year where we clean things up, beat the people we should beat, and then are competitive in the tougher games and win several of them. Keep building... But the SEC schedules are just beyond ridiculous at this point.

You make my point. Alabama's expectations have gone from expecting to win the tougher games to just being competitive. How does that deserve a raise and extension? I don't blame CKD at all for taking the job.

 

[arthurdawg]

You make my point. Alabama's expectations have gone from expecting to win the tougher games to just being competitive. How does that deserve a raise and extension? I don't blame CKD at all for taking the job.

Most of us would be on probation of fired... But college fooball coaching is in a different universe with different laws!

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Blindly expecting excellence is what is wrong with Alabama fans to begin with.

There was always going to be a drop off when Saban retired. Free rein to poach the roster made it worse. DeBoer’s on the job training didn’t help.

Some on here gave him a pass for year one, so this is essentially his second year. Penalties dropped significantly last year, there was an eight game win streak, including tough games on the road. Things tailed off at the end, so he brings in a fiery offensive line coach, an analyst from Oklahoma to help with the defensive line, and he sends signals to Roach and Gillespie to shape up, or they might be cleaning out their offices. There “should” be improvement in the areas that need improving, if there’s not, and depending on the circumstances, I’ll most likely be there with the crowd that thinks this hire might have been a mistake. He’s had a lot to overcome in two seasons, this will be the first season where some of the foundation he’s laid will be evident.

Then we can judge him.

Penalties were horrendous Year 1 and mostly got cleaned up Year 2.

 

[CB4]

hate that buyout, but I do think he's a good coach and even has done a good job. This season is feels like it's fully his program and I look forward to seeing the results.

I think you’re saying what many here think. Few here believe it is time to part ways with CKD. However you cannot help but ask questions concerning the wisdom behind the extension and what essentially is exorbitant buyout should things go sideways. If we are going to truly judge CKD after he 2026 season as to the trajectory of the program, then shouldn’t that discussion and consideration come after the 2026 season? I have less issue with salary increase than I do the extension and buyout. Surely a $2 million bump in salary should send a message that administration sees progress.

 

[AlexanderFan]

So Byrne decides to give him a raise and extension? What has he done to deserve it? Since when does Alabama reward a 7-4 mediocre season? Looks to me like we are dropping expectations and the Admin is back running the Athletic Department. So it's Joab Thomas all over again?

20 wins rebuilding the roster, navigating NIL with a middle to lower upper tier budget, making the SEC championship, making the playoffs, winning a playoff game. That’s not terrible.

The question is this: under those circumstances who, that was willing to come to Alabama, could’ve done better?

The 2010s aren’t walking through that door ever again.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I think you’re saying what many here think. Few here believe it is time to part ways with CKD. However you cannot help but ask questions concerning the wisdom behind the extension and what essentially is exorbitant buyout should things go sideways. If we are going to truly judge CKD after he 2026 season as to the trajectory of the program, then shouldn’t that discussion and consideration come after the 2026 season? I have less issue with salary increase than I do the extension and buyout. Surely a $2 million bump in salary should send a message that administration sees progress.

TBF, ADGB walks the hallways and observes and obviously seeing a bigger and clearer picture than we are.

We shall see, but in the meantime I am 100% behind our coach!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

20 wins rebuilding the roster, navigating NIL with a middle to lower upper tier budget, making the SEC championship, making the playoffs, winning a playoff game. That’s not terrible.

The question is this: under those circumstances who, that was willing to come to Alabama, could’ve done better?

The 2010s aren’t walking through that door ever again.

I don't think "who could have done better" is or should be a part of the conversation as it pertains to the extension. It has nothing to do with the "why now?" question of the extension, and also the question of "Why did the university leverage itself more in the extension when they were already severely leveraged in the original one?"

Asking those questions has nothing to do with wanting another coach. It doesn't matter who the coach is, why did the university feel the need to give the extension before the 2026 season, and why did they put themselves in a worse financial position than they already were with the original contract? That's what many are wanting to know.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

I think you’re saying what many here think. Few here believe it is time to part ways with CKD. However you cannot help but ask questions concerning the wisdom behind the extension and what essentially is exorbitant buyout should things go sideways. If we are going to truly judge CKD after he 2026 season as to the trajectory of the program, then shouldn’t that discussion and consideration come after the 2026 season? I have less issue with salary increase than I do the extension and buyout. Surely a $2 million bump in salary should send a message that administration sees progress.

I guess it depends on who you ask, but I would argue that progress HAS been shown. I understand he took over a "loaded" roster, but talent means nothing if it doesn't fit your system. We gotta keep in mind that DeBoer, in many ways, is the polar opposite of Saban, so of course there were going to be some growing pains. As a result, we cant use Saban as a baseline. We instead use his first year as a baseline, which honestly wasn't as bad as some make it out to be. If the committee had only done their job and actually taken SOS into account, we would be talking about DeBoer in a completely different light, because it would be 2 playoff appearances in 2 years. Even so, he definitely made noticeable progress form year 1 to year 2, and really improved in about every area he needed to, except for the OL, but I think we may have attributed too much of the OL issues to QB and assumed a new QB who didn't roll out into the rushers half the time would fix the issues. The focus this off-season has been on the issues in year 2bthat needed to be fixed, so this is definitely promising.

I see extending him as a pretty safe move. With the way he is recruiting, there is very little risk that he is just gonna run the program into the toilet. I know he will ultimately be judged on how many natties he wins, and people will get impatient if he makes the playoffs most years but does not win a natty, but it's not really any harm done if that's where we end up at. I do think DeBoer has a very high floor, so imo this is a pretty safe extension. Whole I personally believe that he will win 2 natties in the next decade, I also feel pretty safe in saying we're not gonna become Auburn under him, even if he does fall short of my prediction.

 

[arthurdawg]

I guess it depends on who you ask, but I would argue that progress HAS been shown. I understand he took over a "loaded" roster, but talent means nothing if it doesn't fit your system. As a result, we cant use Saban as a baseline. We instead use his first year as a baseline, which honestly wasn't as bad as some make it out to be. If the committee had only done their job and actually valued SOS, we would be talking about DeBoer in a completely different light, because it would be 2 playoff appearances in 2 years. Even so, he definitely made noticeable progress form year 1 to year 2, and really improved in about every area he needed to, except for the OL, but I think we may have attributed too much of the OL issues to QB and assumed a new QB who didn't roll out into the rushers half the time would fix the issues. The focus this off-season has been on the issues in year 2bthat needed to be fixed, so this is definitely promising.

I see extending him as a pretty safe move. With the way he is recruiting, there is very little risk that he is just gonna run the program into the toilet. I know he will ultimately be judged on how many natties he wins, and people will get impatient if he makes the playoffs most years but does not win a natty, but it's not really any harm done if that's where we end up at. I do think DeBoer has a very high floor, so imo this is a pretty safe extension. Whole I personally believe that he will win 2 natties in the next decade, I also feel pretty safe in saying we're not gonna become Auburn under him, even if he does fall short of my prediction.

Well... A bunch of that talent didn't develop and didn't do anything... Including the majority of the ones who transferred. Minus a few guys like Downs. He seems to be a guy who is decent placeholder and may well go places over the next few years. I hate to say it, but we all knew that once Saban left we'd be wandering in the wilderness for a bit.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

Well... A bunch of that talent didn't develop and didn't do anything... Including the majority of the ones who transferred. Minus a few guys like Downs. He seems to be a guy who is decent placeholder and may well go places over the next few years. I hate to say it, but we all knew that once Saban left we'd be wandering in the wilderness for a bit.

That may be true for you, but that's not how I felt at all, and still don't feel that way. The only way that is the case is if we judge him by the standards of Saban, but that's very unwise to do, because that's what's gonna destroy the program, not DeBoer. This is why I really like the extension, because it pretty much forces us to not be trigger happy. Impatience is the antithesis of success. DeBoer's track record in his career speaks for itself. He WILL get us a national title.

 

[mlh]

Well... A bunch of that talent didn't develop and didn't do anything... Including the majority of the ones who transferred. Minus a few guys like Downs. He seems to be a guy who is decent placeholder and may well go places over the next few years. I hate to say it, but we all knew that once Saban left we'd be wandering in the wilderness for a bit.

 

[arthurdawg]

That may be true for you, but that's not how I felt at all, and still don't feel that way. The only way that is the case is if we judge him by the standards of Saban, but that's very unwise to do, because that's what's gonna destroy the program, not DeBoer. This is why I really like the extension, because it pretty much forces us to not be trigger happy. Impatience is the antithesis of success. DeBoer's track record in his career speaks for itself. He WILL get us a national title.

It may be a very nice wilderness with lots of mountain biking, fishing, and hunting options!

I'd love for DeBoer to come ripping out and win several titles... Would be great indeed. I do feel he has done a good job and is continuing to address issues and build a platform for success.

 

[CB4]

If the committee had only done their job and actually taken SOS into account, we would be talking about DeBoer in a completely different light, because it would be 2 playoff appearances in 2 years.

It was more simple than that. All CKD had to do was hold serve and beat a struggling Oklahoma in Norman. It never should have been in the hands of the committee. That team went into that game with everything in front of them and laid an egg.