​Happy Monday, everyone. We’ve reached the roughest stretch of the offseason, with fall camp looming in roughly three weeks and almost nothing happening. Yet, as always, we bring you what we have. Greg McElroy argues that Kalen DeBoer isn’t getting a fair shake from many outlets. “Lane Kiffin went 14 years without a Power Conference ranked win,” Greg noted, presenting the disparity with receipts. DeBoer already holds a 20-6 record against AP Top 25 teams, a 77% winning percentage against some of the sport’s elite. In contrast, Kiffin’s record against ranked opponents sits at 13-24 (or 13-25), and he famously went 14 years without a single Power Conference ranked win. Yet the media continues to treat him as the savior of the program. Greg’s final verdict was clear: “DeBoer had multiple close calls last year and interrupted several significant winning streaks in the process. Those who back him don’t have to search far for reasons why he’s an elite coach. The evidence is right there.” Kalen will have his chance to prove it in year three.
USA Today’s staff filled their quota by ranking the best head coaches, delivering a distinctive take. Number 9 on their list is Kalen DeBoer at Alabama, ranked in the top ten, with eight votes. In just two seasons under Nick Saban’s succession plan, DeBoer has steered Alabama to 19 wins, secured two victories over Smart, and gone 5-1 against rivals Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn. Those are the bright spots of his tenure. Yet the occasional puzzling loss has fans wondering whether more consistent ten-win seasons will be the expectation now that he’s settled in. DeBoer didn’t shy away from the challenge, staying on after Michigan’s opening, and Alabama’s administration has continued to show faith in him, as evidenced by the contract extension.
Meanwhile, Marshall Pritchett is featured in the latest installment of the “50 players” series. Pritchett, a four-star prospect in the 2025 class who played high school football at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee in Georgia, was noted for his pass-catching ability. The 247Sports composite ranked him No. 15 among tight ends in his class. Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer praised Pritchett after Alabama’s second spring scrimmage, saying, “Marshall had a solid scrimmage today. It was one of his better showings not just for doing what’s expected, but for standing out and making some plays.”
In a lighter moment from Philadelphia, Labaron Philon and Johni Broome shared a playful exchange. Philon lifted a taped-up hand and quizzed Broome: “Coming off the screen, number double zero dimed you up—like you dunked on two people right there. When you were rolling, what did you see? The pass? You saw the rim? You saw two guys? What did you see on that play?” Broome answered with the measured sarcasm that matched Philon’s delivery, explaining the setup and the read, noting two defenders not on his team before adding a quick aside for a playful SEO-friendly finish.