I CAN’T BELIEVE HE IS GOING: Alabama’s Top Coach Kalen DeBoer Stuns Program With Sudden Resignation, Will Lead New Team After Citing Lack of Support
In a development few saw coming, Alabama Crimson Tide’s head coach Kalen DeBoer has officially stepped down from his position, announcing that he will take over at a new program following frustrations over what insiders describe as “low internal backing” within the Alabama athletics department. The announcement, which broke early Monday morning, sent shockwaves through the college football landscape and left fans in Tuscaloosa reeling.
DeBoer, who succeeded the legendary Nick Saban in early 2024, was seen as the next chapter in Alabama’s storied football legacy. Hailed for his innovative offensive mind and strong leadership skills, DeBoer arrived with sky-high expectations—and in his short time at the helm, he showed promise, continuing to keep Alabama competitive in the SEC.
But behind the scenes, things were far less stable.
Sources close to the situation say DeBoer had grown increasingly frustrated with what he saw as a lack of alignment between the football program and the university administration. Disputes over staffing decisions, limited influence over recruiting strategy, and what insiders described as “restrained resources” contributed to growing dissatisfaction.
“He felt like he wasn’t being fully empowered to build the program his way,” one source revealed. “And at a place like Alabama, that kind of disconnect makes it hard for any coach to succeed.”
DeBoer reportedly submitted his resignation over the weekend, and while the university has yet to make an official announcement about his replacement, it’s clear that this departure has left the Crimson Tide scrambling just months before the new season begins.
The biggest surprise, however, is that DeBoer is not stepping away from football—he’s moving on to another major program. While the new team has not been formally announced, sources say DeBoer is set to take over at a Power Five school that has offered him greater autonomy, more input on football operations, and a long-term commitment to building a championship-caliber program under his vision.
Players within Alabama’s program reportedly found out just hours before the public did, with many expressing disappointment and shock over losing a coach they had quickly grown to respect.
“I can’t believe he’s going,” one player said. “He brought a fresh energy to the team. We were buying into what he was building.”
DeBoer has not spoken publicly about the decision yet, but a statement is expected later this week. Meanwhile, Alabama’s athletic department issued a brief release thanking DeBoer for his service and wishing him success in his future endeavors. The statement did not address the underlying issues that reportedly led to his departure.
