Alabama football is entering a new era under head coach Kalen DeBoer, and with that comes promises of change—particularly when it comes to closing out games in critical, late-game situations. After a 2024 season that fell below the lofty standards set in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer is making it clear: his Alabama teams will finish games differently in the future.
For the first time since 2007, Alabama lost more than three games in a single season. That statistic alone highlights the challenges the Crimson Tide faced in the first year after legendary coach Nick Saban’s retirement. Saban, who arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007, transformed the program into a perennial powerhouse, ripping off an NCAA-record 16 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins. His tenure saw Alabama dominate college football for nearly two decades, producing multiple national championships and countless NFL draft picks.
But the 2024 season signaled a transition. With Saban stepping down after the 2023 campaign, Kalen DeBoer, fresh off a successful stint at Washington, was tasked with leading Alabama into its next chapter. While there were flashes of brilliance under DeBoer’s leadership, the season ultimately ended in disappointment by Alabama’s sky-high standards.
The Crimson Tide finished the year with a 9-4 record, and what made those four losses sting even more was how close the games were. Three of Alabama’s four defeats came by a margin of seven points or fewer, a sharp contrast to the late-game dominance the program had become known for under Saban. In his final four seasons, Saban’s teams went 12-4 in games decided by one score. In DeBoer’s first season, Alabama managed just a 2-3 record in such contests.
DeBoer has acknowledged that this is an area where the Tide must improve. During recent media appearances, he stressed that the team is focusing on being sharper and more composed when the game is on the line. Execution, situational awareness, and mental toughness in clutch moments are top priorities as the coaching staff prepares for the upcoming season.
“Those critical moments define who you are as a team,” DeBoer said. “We have to be different this year. We’re building a mindset where we expect to win those games—not hope to.”
The offseason has been filled with intense workouts, leadership meetings, and film study aimed specifically at correcting the issues that cost Alabama close games in 2024. From clock management and defensive adjustments to offensive execution in the red zone, DeBoer and his staff are committed to making sure the 2025 Crimson Tide are better equipped to handle late-game pressure.
Alabama fans, accustomed to decades of dominance, are hopeful that DeBoer’s promises will translate into tangible results. In the ever-competitive SEC, where close games are the norm rather than the exception, the difference between good teams and great ones often comes down to finishing the final minutes with poise and precision.
With the 2025 season looming, Alabama’s mission is clear: reclaim their edge in the moments that matter most.