Paul Finebaum speaks on the coaching carousel, Alabama’s turnaround + SEC’s superiority

Paul Finebaum is known for not holding back his opinions + hot takes, especially when it comes to college football here in the South.

Just last year, Finebaum talked about waving the white flag on the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama but just nine months later, he admitted he was wrong. And now, he’s a firm believer in the Crimson Tide.

That was just one of the many things Finebaum talked about during his appearance at the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club this week. But before getting into any of it, he took time to commend the organization for their work in the community.

“What an absolute honor it is to be here at this club that has done more for charity and for this community than any other club I’ve ever attended. What it does for Children’s Hospital is so meaningful. You guys have all heard the numbers but they’re staggering and it’s just a great honor to be a part of this again.”

Paul Finebaum

Keep reading to see what else the longtime radio + TV personality had to say about Alabama’s turnaround + why the SEC is better than the Big 10 and who could be the next college football coach out the door.

Finebaum on Kalen DeBoer: ‘I think the majority of us were wrong’

Alabama has moved up to No. 4 in the AP Poll, its highest ranking under Kalen DeBoer since the Tide’s first win over Georgia in 2024.

Things somewhat spiraled from there for the team, losing four times including to three unranked teams in the final nine weeks of the season. That was followed up with a season opening loss at Florida State which put plenty of doubt in the heads of fans + experts around the country.

“When it comes to Kalen DeBoer, I think the majority of us were wrong. It was very difficult to watch the Florida State game to go ‘okay, things are great.’ His road record which was trending toward disaster could not be ignored. I think the thing that got people in that game was the effort. I think losing a game is not acceptable by a lot of standards but the effort that Alabama exhibited was truly unacceptable.”

Paul Finebaum

But Alabama has responded in a big way, reeling off seven straight wins including a 5-0 start in SEC play.

“But what Kalen DeBoer and his staff have done since that opening weekend is absolutely one of the best coaching jobs I’ve ever seen… it took the Georgia game to believe it but I believe it now.”

Paul Finebaum

Finebaum said Saturday’s win over South Carolina made him believe it even more as the team continued to make the plays they needed to make down the stretch instead of collapsing like in previous losses.

Hugh Freeze + the coaching carousel

The story that has dominated the college football world since Sunday is the firing of LSU coach Brian Kelly. The Tigers lost by 24 at home to Texas A&M on Saturday night and Kelly was gone within 24 hours of the final whistle.

Many people believe Auburn coach Hugh Freeze avoided that same fate with a win at Arkansas over the weekend, grabbing the Tigers’ first SEC win of the season.

And while the seat remains very hot underneath Freeze, Finebaum actually believes he has a big opportunity to remain on The Plains at least for another season.

“I am actually a little more upbeat on Auburn than some people. If they can manage a couple of wins, I realize it’s not easy but they have a chance to turn this around. I don’t know what the athletic directors are thinking. I think sometimes it’s a state of mind. I think you could tell Saturday night that Brian Kelly would not be there by Sunday night.”

Paul Finebaum

This week, Auburn hosts Kentucky which could see two coaches fighting for their jobs on the same field.

Kentucky’s Mark Stoops has the 13th largest buyout in the country, according to USA Today. But Wildcat fans seem to believe he could be on his way out if they don’t start winning SEC games this season.

“We’re in an era of college football where literally no coach is safe. When Brian Kelly and James Franklin can get fired between a two-week period, and those are successful coaches, coaches who are losing and whose program look like they have reached rock bottom are certainly in trouble.”

Paul Finebaum

For now, both Freeze and Stoops still have a job. But the loser of Saturday night’s game at Jordan-Hare Stadium will certainly start to feel even more heat.

With Florida and LSU jobs already open, Auburn and Kentucky may be thinking about a move sooner rather than later so they can be in the mix for some of the most coveted coaches available in the next few months.

“It depends on who you want. Last year was one of the quietest coaching carousels we’ve ever seen, no SEC schools had an opening. This year, the number keeps going up. The number of viable candidates keeps shrinking. Lane Kiffin can’t get all of these jobs.”

Paul Finebaum

SEC vs. Big Ten

The final question Finebaum answered Monday morning was about the SEC’s continued dominance on the college football landscape.

While Ohio State remains the top-ranked team in the country with undefeated Indiana not far behind them, the SEC’s depth is hard to compete with.

In the latest AP Poll, nine SEC teams were ranked in the top 20.

“I’m not just saying this just because we’re around the corner from the SEC headquarters but I think to try to compare the SEC and the Big 10 is fool’s play. The SEC, top to bottom, is so much better. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Ohio State is the best team in the country right now but they haven’t really played a competitive game since Texas… I’d like to see Indiana go through the gauntlet that Alabama has gone through the last five weeks. They would not be undefeated.”

Paul Finebaum

Want updates like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter today.