5 things Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said at 2026 SEC Media Days
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Kalen DeBoer took an extra step forward during his second season in Tuscaloosa, taking the Crimson Tide back to the College Football Playoff.
But the longer Alabama goes without another national title, the more the pressure will build on DeBoer.
The coach faced some of those questions Wednesday morning when he spoke with reporters from across the country during SEC Media Days in Tampa.
‘We want to have that expectation’
Despite being more than two years removed from the Nick Saban era, the Alabama standard remains the same and Kalen DeBoer wouldn’t want it any other way.
“We always want to have that expectation that you’re referring to. We felt like we righted a wrong a little bit, last year, compared to the year before, with some of the things they accomplished, but we also understand how short of what our expectations are internally.”
Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer was asked if he believes his tenure would be defined by whether he wins a national title or not. And he admitted that may be the case but he’s not focused on his own legacy.
“I’m focused on helping our program be the best and trying to bring out the best and raise the level of everyone around me.”
Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer wants QB battle decided soon
One of the most common question DeBoer and his players faced Wednesday was about the quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
DeBoer said he would prefer the battle not last into the first game of the season against East Carolina but he admitted it was not going to be an easy decision.
“It’s going to be a hard decision. These guys are going at it pretty hard.”
Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer spoke on Mack’s experience in the system. Mack is a senior who transferred from Washington when DeBoer took the job at Alabama.
However, Russell was a consensus 5-star recruit out of high school and has been the public frontrunner for the job since Ty Simpson declared for the draft.
Either way, DeBoer spoke on how both quarterbacks have evolved as leaders, gaining the trust and belief from other players on the offense.
Can Alabama’s run game improve?
There’s no denying Alabama’s struggle on the ground last season. The Crimson Tide rushed for just 104 yards per game, the 12th lowest total in FBS.
DeBoer said improving that part of the offense has been a focus of the offseason.
“We got the talent, we got the schematics, we’ve got the people… That area is going to make our entire team better.”
Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer specifically pointed to freshman running back and reigning Alabama Mr. Football winner E.J. Crowell as being a piece of that puzzle.
New faces across the board
Speaking of newcomers, DeBoer spoke about how there is both excitement and concern around the number of new players they will rely on this season.
While DeBoer said there may not be as many impact freshman this season, there are several starting roles, especially on offense that will have a new name at the top of the depth chart.
Alabama is hoping to get a big boost from the transfer portal but DeBoer still wants to see those players prove themselves to the Alabama standard instead of what they have done at other programs.
“It connects a little bit. It’s a little bit of unsure but also the excitement that surrounds those players we’ve brought into the program and coaches too.”
Kalen DeBoer
How a 9-game SEC schedule changes the preseason
The 2026 season will feature nine conference games for each SEC team and DeBoer said that has changed the way his staff has created their preseason schedule.
DeBoer said this is the most he has ever worked on a fall camp schedule, trying to find the balance of getting ready for the season while making sure there is still some stamina left for the regular season gauntlet (which also includes one less bye week).
“We have to be ready to play week 1 but we’re also making sure throughout the long haul, throughout the whole season with only one bye week that we can stay as fresh as possible with the schedule and the grind it’s going to be.”
Kalen DeBoer
