By Mmesoma 
When Alabama made the monumental decision to hire Kalen DeBoer following Nick Saban’s legendary retirement, the college football world held its breath. Now, just over a year later, longtime SEC analyst Paul Finebaum says the verdict is clear: “Alabama got it right.”
Speaking during his daily segment on ESPN Radio, Finebaum offered high praise for DeBoer’s leadership and vision since taking the reins in Tuscaloosa.
> “He’s done more than just keep the program steady — he’s pushed it forward,” Finebaum said. “The intensity, the recruiting, the mindset. This doesn’t look like a rebuilding job. This looks like Alabama still being Alabama.”
DeBoer, who joined the Crimson Tide after leading Washington to a Pac-12 title and a national championship appearance, was seen as a bold but strategic hire. Critics questioned whether the soft-spoken coach from the West Coast could handle the SEC spotlight or follow in the massive footsteps of Saban — widely considered the greatest college coach of all time.
But according to Finebaum, DeBoer has exceeded expectations.
> “I talk to people in Tuscaloosa, and the message is the same: he gets it,” Finebaum said. “He’s not trying to be Nick Saban. He’s just trying to win — and he’s doing it his way.”
Alabama’s recent recruiting surge has only strengthened DeBoer’s case. The Crimson Tide currently boast a top-3 class for 2026, landing several blue-chip players including five-star wideout Cederian Morgan and elite linebacker Treyven Jackson. Their commitment wave has sparked comparisons to the Saban-era recruiting dominance — comparisons Finebaum doesn’t shy away from.
> “This isn’t a flash in the pan,” he said. “DeBoer is building something sustainable, something elite. That’s what makes this so impressive.”
DeBoer’s on-field results have matched his recruiting success. After navigating a tough 2024 transition season, Alabama finished strong, winning 10 games and narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. With returning quarterback Ty Simpson and a young, explosive defense, the Tide are expected to be in the title hunt this fall.
For Finebaum, it’s further proof that Alabama made the right choice.
> “It could’ve gone wrong — we’ve seen powerhouse programs stumble after a legendary coach retires,” he said. “But Alabama didn’t blink. They did their homework, they trusted their culture, and they brought in a guy who was ready.”
As the Crimson Tide prepare for the 2025 season under DeBoer’s continued leadership, the message from Finebaum — and much of the college football world — is clear: Alabama isn’t just surviving post-Saban. It might be thriving.