Last season was a major flop for Kalen DeBoer (9-4). But three weeks down in the 2025 season, they seem to be moving with a steady pace, with only one loss, against Florida State, in their bag. But DeBoer seems not to be 100% pleased with one of his positions. They moved a spot in the latest ESPN FPI ranking following Week 3, rising to No. 3. They were also the highest-ranked SEC team, sitting one spot ahead of Georgia at No. 4. So, one can fathom the tension that exists between them and Kirby Smart’s squad. And now he comes with a wake-up call for the entire team.

On September 17, Alfa Insurance presented the Hey Coach & The Kalen DeBoer Show. During the interview, the Alabama head coach was not present physically but over the phone. That’s when the host nudged DeBoer’s fresh wounds about their penalty against Wisconsin that pushed the kickoff back, which is normally from the 35-yard line, but they had to kick from the 20. The result? The coverage broke down, and the opposing team got a big return. 

Summing up their three-week journey, DeBoer said, “With our kickoff team, over the last year and a half, it’s just been really… One of our units that we’ve almost been bullish about… So it’s a good little wake-up call there for that unit.” He added, “It’s a lot of little things that just a couple of people need to do better. You know, we want that ball kicked to a little different spot. And then there’s just a lot of pieces that play into when a ball is kicked that far downfield. There’s a lot of space for the return to get set up.”

Don’t forget their place kicker from the 2019 class, Will Reichard, has been one of the most reliable placekickers in college football history. He finished as Alabama’s career record holder for field goals, 50-plus yard field goals (10), and PATs. But looks like now, under DeBoer, their once special unit has lost its charm.

Talking about DeBoer and Co.’s report card against their season-opening mishap against Florida State? Alabama kicker Conor Talty came up short on his lone first-half field goal attempt, a 53-yarder that fell about 10 yards shy of the uprights. So, now you know their once big strength has now become a nagging problem in Tuscaloosa. 

What’s the fix for this? DeBoer wants his defenders to “squeeze a little faster” so the returner doesn’t have as much space. While the unit struggled against Wisconsin, he is happy with how punter Blake Doud stepped up when called on. Placekicker, Talty, too, has been dependable when it came to field goals, PATs, or kickoffs. Meanwhile, DeBoer must already be threatened by Georgia’s quarterback, Gunner Stockton, yet he puts him on a pedestal. 

Kirby Smart’s Gunner Stockton earns praise from Kalen DeBoer

He gives Smart’s squad five stars when it comes to Georgia’s mindset and toughness, tagging them as a “balanced” program. Their USP is their offensive variety, with the star of it being their quarterback, Stockton. “With Gunner Stockton, already played some big games, whether it be at the end of the year last year or this last week. So, he’s got that experience,” said DeBoer. 

In that case, he might be the difference maker in the upcoming Georgia vs Alabama face-off. So, DeBoer is doing his part to stir up his boys with the ultimate vocal tonic. Taking things easy is a BIG NO-NO. As the head coach came up with a rallying cry, “You gotta weather the storm. You gotta play four quarters of football. It’s gotta be on you and the guys around you. There’s gonna be adversity, and it’s about how you respond to adversity.”

But are the players only held accountable? Well, definitely not. DeBoer himself is yet to get rid of his problematic tradition. By far, he has coached 17 games in Tuscaloosa. And one thing has stayed constant: him acting as the penalty magnet. Alabama under DeBoer now has a whopping total of 115 penalties for 1,080 yards. Talking about this season?

The Alabama Crimson Tide racked up 8 against Florida State, 5 against UL Monroe, and 7 against Wisconsin. Already, a $70 million buyout axe is looming over Kalen DeBoer’s head. Let’s watch how they band together to close the leaks.