The 2024 college football season has ended, and teams are looking for ways to improve for the 2025 season. This includes the Alabama Crimson Tide.
In head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first year, the team finished with a 9-4 record. DeBoer took over after the legendary Nick Saban retired following the 2023 season, having led Alabama football for 17 seasons. However, DeBoer’s debut season did not go as expected, marking the Crimson Tide’s worst season since 2007, Saban’s initial year.
Furthermore, Alabama did not make the College Football Playoff and lost to three teams that finished with five or more losses. Their final defeat was a 19-13 loss to the 8-5 Michigan Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer watches before taking the field for a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer watches before taking the field for a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum discussed the loss and attributed it to poor coaching.
“Players, No. 1, don’t care about much,” Finebaum said. “When Alabama didn’t make it to the College Football Playoff, I don’t think they really cared (about the bowl game). I also blame the coaching staff for doing a terrible job preparing them for the game because Michigan was basically a high school team with all those players missing.”
Finebaum described Alabama’s loss in that game as “utterly disgraceful.” The Wolverines had 23 players who opted out of the game, including defensive lineman Mason Graham, cornerback Will Johnson, and tight end Colston Loveland, all expected to be first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In contrast, Alabama had no opt-outs, which is why Finebaum was so disappointed with their performance. Now that the 2024 season is over, DeBoer and his team are likely eager to move on as they prepare for a strong 2025 comeback.
