By Mmesoma 
TUSCALOOSA, AL — Kalen DeBoer hasn’t even coached a regular-season game in crimson and white, yet the weight of an entire dynasty already rests on his shoulders. After taking the reins from legendary coach Nick Saban earlier this year, DeBoer enters his debut season as Alabama’s head coach facing not just expectations—but an ultimatum.
According to a well-connected College Football Playoff (CFP) insider, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is keeping a close eye on Alabama’s trajectory. And if the Crimson Tide fail to make the playoff under DeBoer’s leadership, the fallout could be massive.
“Greg Sankey is going to lose his mind if Alabama misses the playoff,” the insider told reporters this week. “This isn’t just about wins and losses. This is about legacy, conference dominance, and brand power in the new era of college football.”
A Post-Saban Pressure Cooker
Replacing Saban was always going to be a tall task. The six-time national champion turned Alabama into the gold standard of college football, and anything short of playoff contention is considered failure in Tuscaloosa. For DeBoer, who led Washington to a national championship game appearance last season, the pressure is immediate and intense.
Now, as the SEC enters a new era with Texas and Oklahoma joining the conference—and the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff looming—Sankey is determined to keep the SEC on top. And Alabama, as its flagship program, cannot afford to slip.
The Cost of Missing the Mark
Alabama’s 2024 schedule is anything but easy. With high-stakes matchups against Georgia, LSU, and Texas, DeBoer will be tested early and often. Despite inheriting a talented roster, including returning stars and a strong recruiting class, the room for error is razor-thin.
“If Bama doesn’t make it this year, questions will swirl—not just about DeBoer, but about the future of SEC dominance,” the insider added. “Sankey’s got a lot riding on Alabama staying elite, especially with the Big Ten gaining momentum.”
Not Just a Team — A Brand
Alabama football is more than a program; it’s a brand with national reach and unmatched influence. Missing the CFP not only damages competitive credibility—it impacts television deals, recruiting momentum, and conference prestige.
Sankey’s reported frustration stems from the wider implications. With the SEC battling the Big Ten for supremacy, Alabama