​In two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Kalen DeBoer has shifted from being Nick Saban’s designated heir to becoming a focal point for much of the Roll Tide faithful. After finishes of 9‑4 and 10‑4, the combination of fan polls, talk radio, and social media chatter has grown louder in questioning whether he can meet Alabama’s high bar. Yet former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy contends that this skepticism disregards what DeBoer has actually accomplished and deserves a fairer appraisal of his work.
McElroy argues that DeBoer merits greater respect and calls out what he sees as double standards in how DeBoer is evaluated compared with other coaches, especially in light of ESPN’s rankings of top college football head coaches for the 2026 season. He voices his disagreement on a recent segment of McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning after DeBoer was noticeably overlooked by ESPN. “Here’s where I have maybe the biggest issue with the entire list. And it’s not because of where I went to school. It really isn’t. I’m telling you, it isn’t,” McElroy said, insisting that DeBoer is universally respected among his peers. “Coaches all say, ‘This guy is a dude.’”
McElroy believes ESPN’s list gives disproportionate weight to Alabama’s more recent results and to what the fan base expects, rather than how DeBoer is perceived by other coaches. To illustrate DeBoer’s coaching acumen, he points to DeBoer’s playoff run at Washington, including a comeback road victory against Oklahoma after trailing by 17 points, as evidence that DeBoer can win in high-pressure situations.
The former QB also challenged the notion that DeBoer merely inherited a powerhouse. By the time DeBoer took over the Alabama program, the roster no longer reflected the championship-caliber unit fans remember from Saban’s peak years, and the situation only worsened after Saban’s retirement. The roster overhaul had to be tackled with limited time and limited help. Two of Alabama’s best players at the time, Caleb Downs and Julian Sayin, left for Ohio State, underscoring the magnitude of the rebuilding task DeBoer confronted largely on his own.
Over 11 seasons as a head coach, DeBoer has compiled a 124‑20 record, an 86% winning percentage, including three NAIA national titles at Sioux Falls and a transformation of a 4‑8 Washington program into a national championship game contender. He is 10‑5 as an underdog and has defeated top coaches such as Dan Lanning, Steve Sarkisian, and Kirby Smart. McElroy also notes that DeBoer is 30‑9 in one‑score games, a statistic that signals his ability to close out tight matches.
The most glaring evidence of a perceived media double standard, McElroy suggests, is the comparison to Lane Kiffin, who sits ranked seventh on ESPN’s list. McElroy pointed out that Kiffin went 14 years without a Power Conference ranked win, a stark contrast to DeBoer’s resume. DeBoer already owns a 20‑6 record against AP Top 25 teams, yielding a 77% winning percentage against some of the strongest programs in the sport, while Kiffin has a 13‑24 (or 13‑25) record against ranked opponents and had a 14‑year drought without a Power Conference ranked win. Yet media narratives continue to elevate Kiffin seemingly beyond the same scrutiny DeBoer faces.
McElroy’s conclusion is that DeBoer’s solid results, his ability to win in difficult contexts, and his demonstrated competitiveness against top-tier programs deserve more favorable treatment in the public discourse and in ranking conversations. He contends that DeBoer’s team-building, resilience in the face of a depleted roster, and proven track record of success at multiple stops warrant a degree of respect that is not always reflected in media rankings. In McElroy’s view, DeBoer has already shown he can navigate high-stakes games, orchestrate comebacks, and deliver results under pressure, making a strong case that he belongs in discussions about elite college football coaches.