Wowsa. I cannot copy the article from The Athletic, but their reporting shows a meltdown by fans, and boosters of epic proportions. Lost three of the last four games, players not playing hard, and the major expectations being unmet is creating great entertainment.

With a buyout of 70 million....I just love the spot that all the parties are in, as it is impossible for this to turnaround, and make everyone happy enough. As if all that wasn't enough...they claim their major candidates to replace DeBoer are: Kirby Smart, Ryan Day or Dan Lanning. Good luck with that!

If you want a few laughs...below are 'Tide fans voicing their displeasure!

There is nothing more entertaining that the Paul Finebaum Show after an Alabama loss. The shows after the NCG losses to Clemson rank among the elite in listening pleasure. I think it's safe to say that Bama will no longer be hiring head coaches out of the state of Washington. They had a dominant run, but it seems that a few of the diehards are moving on to the acceptance phase of coping.

That said, they need to accept the fact that the best of the best coaches in college football are not going to drop everything and allow themselves to be lured to Alabama. If they listened carefully to Dan Lanning's comments yesterday then they know he's not leaving a program that is willing to spend the money to compete with the Top 10 in CFB. Can Bama scrape together the money for a top flight roster? Maybe, but I don't see i happening after paying a $70M buyout.

Even if they could, why would Lanning move from an environment where he basically deals with one booster and has somewhat of a patient fan base? They're never going to get Kirby Smart or Sark or Ryan Day. I'm also 99% sure that Dilly would turn them down to stay in Tempe which would be one hell of a blow to their psyche. They need to face the facts. Every program they want to poach a head coach from would consider Bama to be a step down. A lateral move at best if they're chasing Kiffin.

This goes along with what you are mentioning.

Early in Kalen DeBoer's Tenure at Alabama, Power Brokers and Boosters are Growing Concerned

It was 25 years ago that then Boston Celtics team president and head coach Rick Pitino unleashed his infamous rant.

“Larry Bird is not walking through that door fans. Kevin McHale’s not walking through that door, and Robert Parish is not walking through that door,” Pitino lamented after a late-season loss to the Toronto Raptors that saw the Celtics fall 11 games under .500.

Well, as Defcon 4 escalates to Defcon 3 among the Alabama fan base following the Crimson Tide’s listless 31-17 season-opening loss to Florida State last Saturday, here’s the reality: Nick Saban is not walking through that door, at least not according to him or anybody close to him.

On3

Early in Kalen DeBoer's tenure at Alabama, power brokers...

It was 25 years ago that then Boston Celtics team president and head coach Rick Pitino unleashed his infamous rant. “Larry Bird is not walking through that door fans. Kevin McHale’s not walking throug

Writer Ralph Russo

No. 21 Alabama’s latest stumble dropped the Crimson Tide out of the top 20 for the first time in 17 years.

The Crimson Tide stayed in the rankings at No. 21 despite their first opening-game loss in 24 seasons and extended their streak of poll appearances to 280, the second longest in history behind Nebraska’s 348 from 1981 to 2002. Still, Alabama reached a new low under second-year Kalen DeBoer.

Alabama was last unranked at the end of the 2007 season, Nick Saban’s first with the Tide. Alabama began the next season 24th, blew out Clemson in its 2008 opener to jump to No. 13 and stayed in the top 20 for the next 16 years. Even during last season’s inconsistencies, Alabama was never ranked lower than 17th.

Alabama was one of four top-10 teams to lose to start the season, but the only one to an unranked opponent.

Bama lost to an unranked team for the fourth time in 14 games under Saban’s replacement. 

Optimism for Alabama started up front. The Tide brought back enough talent and experience to make a case for having both the best offensive and defensive line in the nation. But the Seminoles, after yet another portal-heavy rebuild by coach Mike Norvell, ran all over Alabama and stuffed the Tide’s running game.

Coming into this season, the Tide ranked second behind Georgia in 247Sports’ talent composite rankings, which measures the recruiting stars that make up a team’s roster. Since the website started doing the talent composite in 2015, only two teams ranked in the top two have won fewer than 10 games. Last year’s Alabama team went 9-4.

Me...will be interesting to watch Alabama's season. Often during Sabin's tenure opponents were mentally defeated before they hit the field. If some of those SEC opponents now sense blood in the water, the confidence boost may make for some interesting games. And, if DeBoer is lured into some dumb decisions by a "hot seat mentality" then that could add to it. The away game schedule is manageable: Georgia, Missouri, S. Carolina, Auburn. Home games: Vanderbilt, Tennesse, LSU and Oklahoma.

By the way, that On3 column posted by NJDuck is a good perspective to read.

Who would replace DeBoer? Winning coaches include Dabo Swinney, Brian Kelly, Ryan Day, Kirby Smart, Marcus Freeman, Lane Kiffin, James Franklin, Dan Lanning.

Would any of those guys jump? Especially with a big money offer?

IF, the money issues could be worked out....I can see Cristobal jumping. Sark?

2 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:

I cannot copy the article from The Athletic,

Well, maybe a little...

---

Alabama’s 31-17 loss at Florida State has triggered a full-blown identity crisis in Tuscaloosa. The Tide have now dropped three of their last four games, including back-to-back losses dating to last season, and second-year coach Kalen DeBoer is already facing questions about his fit.

Kirk Herbstreit and Rece Davis both sounded the alarm on ESPN, with Davis saying Alabama “looked listless. Terrible.” The Tide managed just 341 yards of offense after their opening drive, surrendered 230 rushing yards, and looked overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage.

Voices of Frustration

Former Tide stars are questioning the program’s edge. AJ McCarron unloaded on the program's culture, saying Alabama doesn’t have enough in-state players who “understand the tradition,” calling out LB Deontae Lawson and WR Ryan Williams for lacking passion. Trent Richardson was critical of the offense, too.

The frustration isn't limited to ex-players. Power brokers and boosters are growing concerned, too. “We’re spoiled, always have been. But when we put a team out there that looks uninspired like we have far too many times these past two years and lose to teams that we’re clearly more talented than, that’s when it becomes a problem … and not just a bunch of spoiled fans griping.” —Anonymous Alabama donor

A 'Tide of Tears?

I doubt Cristobal is going anywhere. He's home.

I want to say the same for Dilly, but he would have to be tempted by the salary and potential prestige if he's confident enough in himself.

Maybe Cig?

Bama has to let the ugliness play out a while. If you fire a 9 and 4 coach, who the heck is going to want that job? Only someone hungry for the extra millions. It would have to be an up and comer, not some already established elite coach.

Dabo, or Kirby as true southerners would be my guess maybe lane? IMO, Bama would not hire another non southerner as culture down there means to much, and it part of the reason Debore has struggled.

🤣

I guess the real issue isn't just losing that first game, but how bad they looked playing the game.

Those issues clearly look like coaching issues too.

In the modern era of CFB, being an "old blueblood" isn't enough. The best players are demanding huge sums of $$ to play.

NIL deals make any school look attractive.

The SEC doesn't mean more if they aren't willing to pay more.

Before all the $$, getting to a Bowl game was the sign of a good season. Something more than 60 teams could do every year. Now it's all about making the playoffs. Something only 12 teams can aspire to. So early seasons losses to teams you're supposed to bear, just mean more.

'Bama is no longer "the" place. And besides, whoever coaches there will always be compared to Saben. That's an impossible act to follow.

We are so blessed to have coach Lanning.

Gotta admit it's a little fun watching the mighty blueblood 'Bama realize they may just be average, or worse.

Glen Schumann (UGA DC) is the most logical, but he might take a while to turn things around. He's a Bama alum and he knows the SEC, however, he won't come right out and compete for championships. If the fans and boosters are willing to wait for results then he would be a good choice much like Kirby and Lanning were for UGA and Oregon.

I don't see DeMeco Ryans leaving the NFL unless he's fired. He's having success right now and he doesn't have to fill his offseason time recruiting.

Cignetti is a wild card. If he's successful again at IU then they may make a run at him. He's confident enough in himself that the Bama job wouldn't intimidate him.

Then there's Lane. Always looking for the next best thing. Although, his daughter did talk him into staying at Ole Miss when Auburn was after him. She still has a year or two left at Ole Miss so he may not leave until after she graduates. He also knows that following a legend/former boss can lead to a brutal firing.

One of the sports books:

+ 300 – Tommy Rees

+ 400 – Glenn Schumann

+ 500 – Lane Kiffin

+ 700 – Kenny Dillingham

+ 800 – Deion Sanders

+ 1200 – Jimbo Fisher

Other familiar names, not limited to, but were high odds including

+4000 Dan Lanning, Ryan Day

+5000 Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney, Sark

I wonder what the NIL situation is at Alabama? I personally think its not as good as some may think and feel thats 1 reason Saban retired.

Is the smartest guy in CFB the TOSU QB who bailed from Bama at the same time as Saint Nick?

Just Sayin. 😁

1 hour ago, 1Ducker1 said:

I wonder what the NIL situation is at Alabama? I personally think its not as good as some may think and feel thats 1 reason Saban retired.

I think boosters at Bama, as evidenced by DeBoer's recruiting, are willing to open the wallet and are not the problem.

Bama is the No. 2-ranked team in 247 Sports Composite Roster Rankings. There is no lack of talent in Tuscaloosa, but a lack of desire?