Being a college football head coach isn’t an occupation that you can ever feel comfortable and safe. Things can change very quickly on the field and because of that, they can also change very quickly off-the-field. Below is an SEC head coach who is not currently on the hot seat (at least seriously) but could see that change this season if things don’t go his way.
Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)
Following a legend is never easy in sports. That was the task for DeBoer, who was hired by the Tide in January 2024 after the sudden retirement of Nick Saban. DeBoer was hired after only being a P4 head coach for two seasons, where he compiled an impressive 25-3 record with Washington. While his two-season accomplishments were impressive, DeBoer’s short resume raised some immediate questions as to his readiness for taking on a job as high caliber as Alabama’s. On top of that, he had no previous ties to the SEC, which tends to quickly produce additional doubts.
This puts DeBoer in this situation after only two seasons. The Tide went 9-4 in his first season, which at many schools would be worthy of an extension, but at Alabama it just raised additional doubts. The pressure has quickly mounted and if the Tide miss the playoffs again, it will quickly intensify. Patience isn’t a strong virtue in SEC country, which DeBoer has likely already realized.
When it comes to the schedule, the out-of-conference portion is manageable with an interesting game at Florida State to open the season and then a home game against Wisconsin being the two P4 opponents. In the SEC, there is no grace period as the Tide open up at Georgia. However, after that their SEC road schedule eases up with games at South Carolina, Missouri and Auburn. At home, the Tide will have to find a way to take care of business against Vanderbilt, Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma.
The schedule is never easy in the SEC, but compared to other top programs this season, Alabama’s path is on the easier side. Coach DeBoer needs to take advantage of this or else the off-season leading up to the 2026 season will be very tumultuous around Tuscaloosa.
