So far this season, nine coaches faced the axe before Week 8. It’s unprecedented, and job security is off the table these days. And now, Alabama AD Greg Byrne revealed a sobering reality about Kalen DeBoer in that context. While Alabama’s season-opening loss to FSU drew heavy criticism toward the HC, that noise muffled after their ongoing winning streak. But if things were to go south again, coaching changes in Tuscaloosa could depend on more than just the scoreboard.

Program stability may always be the key. During his appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show on Friday, Byrne discussed the do’s and don’ts of coaching changes. As tweeted by Mike Rodak, Alabama expert, Alabama AD Greg Byrne said, “I do believe the only time you ever make a coaching change is when it’s the right thing for the long-term health of the program.”

When Byrne hired DeBoer, he knew he was rolling the dice. After all, DeBoer was stepping in to replace the GOAT of 17 seasons, Nick Saban. Although DeBoer had led Washington to just lose out on the championship in 2023, he was still finding his footing in college football. That’s why Byrne knew with Saban gone, the era of winning every single game was over. “It’s a good culture,” he said to The Athletic.

And then came the critical part of Byrne’s stance on the matter. “Not because you lost a game, not because this happened or that happened,” he added. “Every once in a while there’s an extreme situation, but stability in your coaching staff, and the ability to attract and get good leaders for the future.. patience is part of that.” 

You get to see coaches like James Franklin getting sacked, which calls for concern in the sport. Now, while it reflects Byrne’s expectations for the program under DeBoer, the question concerning DeBoer’s job security is out in the open. So while change may be necessary at times, a proper plan must be in place to keep the Alabama train on the tracks. Byrne summed it perfectly, saying, “I think it’s really important to have that as much as you can at all times.”

With Alabama sitting at 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play, the program appears to be in fine shape this season. That means DeBoer isn’t going anywhere, at least for now. However, last season’s 9-4 record in his debut year didn’t quite meet Alabama’s standards. But Byrne’s patience may have kept the HC’s job safe, and now it’s starting to pay off.

Yes, Alabama’s wins over Vanderbilt and Georgia are the latest proof. “We’ll win some games, and we’ll win those games based on the hard work and resiliency that we’re showing,” stated Byrne. DeBoer may be trying to fill the void left by legendary Saban, as his 14-5 record across last season and the first half of this one suggests he’s on the right track.

Now, while Byrne trusts DeBoer’s ability, the Alabama AD didn’t hesitate to address how the program handled the season-opening loss.

Alabama AD calm amid the storm

Alabama took a pounding from critics after the team lost to FSU. But AD Greg Byrne refused to let the noise get to him. That’s why, ahead of the Tennessee game, Byrne admitted he didn’t read a single tweet about the loss. “I literally read one article that somebody on our staff sent me. Didn’t read one other thing,” he said on The Paul Finebaum Show.

“You control the controllable. I couldn’t control that, right?” Where do you go for advice when the going gets tough – your father? “Water off a duck’s back,” recalled Byrne.

Then he explained, “You can’t pay attention to it. And, we’re human, right, and some stuff does get to you. It’s not that you just block it all out, and I think it is important to have at least a pulse of what’s going on. And so, you just do the very best you can to support everyone around you.” According to him, back the coaches when it’s tough, not just when the team wins. See the destiny’s play as Byrne’s strategy paid off big time.

Since that FSU loss, Alabama has rattled off five straight wins this season. So DeBoer’s seat is far from hot, and the Tide are squarely in the SEC title hunt. And here, Byrne made his stance crystal clear, stating, “Block the noise out and stay focused on supporting the people that you’re hired to support.” Now let’s see how DeBoer’s efforts perform for the rest of the season.