The Crimson Tide’s Coaching Crossroads
Alabama entered the 2025 campaign with a sense of optimism, having secured a playoff berth and finishing the season ranked No. 11 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the AP Top 25. The schedule ahead includes marquee matchups against East Carolina, Florida State, South Carolina and LSU, a slate that will test the team’s depth as it aims to maintain its top‑15 standing.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer, who signed a seven‑year extension in April 2024 that guarantees him $12.5 million per year, has compiled a 20‑8 record and guided the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff appearance, yet his tenure is under scrutiny after a handful of recent setbacks.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, who arrived in 2024, has helped the Alabama defense climb to 13th nationally in yards allowed and 20th in points allowed, statistics that have fueled speculation about his potential move to a head‑coaching role at another program.
Meanwhile, Charles Huff, a former Alabama associate head coach who now leads the Memphis Tigers, is viewed as a candidate who could attract another FBS vacancy should he replicate the success he has begun to achieve at Memphis.
Lance Taylor, a walk‑on receiver turned graduate assistant, has risen to head coach at Western Michigan, where in his fourth season he captured the program’s first Mid‑American Conference title since 2016, a trajectory that keeps him on the radar for larger programs.
The coaching carousel that defined the 2025 offseason was amplified when Lane Kiffin departed Ole Miss for LSU, a shift that has intensified expectations that similar high‑profile moves could surface in the coming year.
On the recruiting front, DeBoer’s 2026 class earned a No. 2 national ranking in the 247Sports Composite, underscoring his ability to attract top talent despite the off‑field chatter.
Across the board, DeBoer boasts a 5‑1 record against Alabama’s three traditional rivals — Auburn, Tennessee and LSU — highlighting a competitive edge that could influence both his staying power and the program’s future direction.