The honeymoon in Tuscaloosa is officially over. After Alabama's uninspired showing at Kentucky on Saturday, a growing chorus of Crimson Tide supporters is ready to move on from head coach Kalen DeBoer — and it's only Week 2 of the 2026 campaign.
DeBoer, who inherited a dynasty from Nick Saban, hasn't exactly flopped — his 21-8 record would be a dream for most programs. But in the SEC, and especially at Alabama, eight losses in two seasons is borderline heresy. The Tide's back-to-back four-loss campaigns have already worn thin on a fanbase accustomed to national titles, and Saturday's near-disaster in Lexington was the final straw for many.
A Rocky Start at Kroger Field
Alabama cruised past East Carolina in the opener, a 48-10 romp that had fans feeling good. But against a Kentucky team that hadn't beaten the Tide in nearly three decades, DeBoer's squad looked lost. The Wildcats led for most of the first three quarters, and Alabama needed a late surge to escape with a win — barely.
The close call sparked a firestorm online, with fans and analysts alike questioning DeBoer's ability to prepare his team for hostile environments. “Kalen DeBoer's complete inability to have his team prepared to play in any real road environment will be studied for generations,” tweeted Aaron Torres, capturing the sentiment of many.
Another pointed stat emerged: “Alabama is 0-7 under Kalen DeBoer when trailing at halftime,” noted the account Recruits Bama, as the Tide found themselves down 17-13 at the break.
The criticism wasn't just from random fans. Barstool's T-Bob Hebert chimed in, “Tough day to be a Tide fan when you're down 17-16 in the 3rd qtr and the announcers are doing a 5 minute segment about how its ok that Kalen DeBoer is not Nick Saban because its a new era.”
Even a questionable coaching decision drew ire: “KALEN DEBOER GAVE KENTUCKY 3 POINTS. JUST GAVE IT AWAY. AWFUL COACHING,” one user posted.
Playoff Hopes Already on the Brink
While Alabama managed to avoid what would have been a catastrophic loss, the performance has raised serious concerns about the team's ceiling. With the College Football Playoff expansion, a couple of losses might not be fatal, but the Tide's margin for error is shrinking fast. As one fan put it, “The fall off of Dan Lanning and Kalen DeBoer needs to be studied.”
The pressure on DeBoer is only going to intensify, especially with a schedule that doesn't let up. The Tide's next test comes against a conference rival, and if they stumble again, the calls for a coaching change will only grow louder. Some are already pointing to potential replacements, with rumors swirling about other coaches — though Alabama fans might prefer to look at Greg McElroy's bold playoff prediction that still includes the Tide.
For now, DeBoer's seat is warm, and the fanbase's patience is wearing thin. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops had urged his fans to make Kroger Field a fortress, and they nearly did. The Tide escaped, but the damage to DeBoer's reputation may already be done.
As the season rolls on, one thing is clear: Alabama fans aren't interested in moral victories or “new era” excuses. They want dominance, and they want it now. If DeBoer can't deliver, his tenure in Tuscaloosa could be shorter than anyone imagined.
