ESPN Report : Finebaum Said Bama is a team in desperate need of direction: from coaching discipline to upperclassmen leadership. Tenn did get some penalty calls throughout 2024 game, but it would not have changed the outcome of the season, First and foremost the players have no respect for DeBoer 

ESPN Report : Finebaum Said Bama is a team in desperate need of direction: from coaching discipline to upperclassmen leadership. Tenn did get some penalty calls throughout 2024 game, but it would not have changed the outcome of the season, First and foremost the players have no respect for DeBoer

Alabama football, long regarded as the gold standard of college football excellence, finds itself in uncharted territory. In the post-Saban era, the Crimson Tide is clearly a program in search of identity, direction, and most crucially—leadership. Under head coach Kalen DeBoer, Alabama’s once-pristine culture appears to be unraveling, and the problems run deeper than a disappointing loss or a blown play. From a lack of discipline on the field to poor accountability in the locker room, the 2024 season has highlighted major structural issues that Alabama must confront immediately.

DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa with an impressive résumé from Washington, but transitioning into a program with Alabama’s level of expectation is a different challenge entirely. There is a growing sense within the program that the players have little respect for DeBoer’s leadership. Whether it’s his coaching style, communication, or failure to establish authority with upperclassmen, it’s evident the team is not buying in. Respect isn’t given at Alabama—it’s earned through trust, toughness, and results. So far, DeBoer has struggled to establish that foundation.

This was evident in Alabama’s 2024 showdown with Tennessee. Though the Volunteers did benefit from a few favorable penalty calls, the narrative that officiating cost Alabama the game is misleading at best. The Tide was outplayed in all three phases: offense, defense, and special teams. Even if the penalties had gone the other way, the outcome likely would have remained unchanged. Tennessee was more prepared, more physical, and most importantly—better led.

Discipline, once a hallmark of Alabama football, has completely eroded. Penalties, mental errors, and blown assignments are becoming regular occurrences. These aren’t just rookie mistakes—they’re signs of a lack of internal accountability and coaching enforcement. In previous years, veteran players would take control of the locker room and ensure the team stayed focused and sharp. But this current Alabama squad lacks that upperclassmen leadership. Senior players have not stepped up to instill the values and intensity that once defined the Crimson Tide.

Former players and insiders are beginning to voice concerns. Many point to the program’s inability to hold players to the same standards that existed under Saban. The “Process” has been replaced by confusion and inconsistency. Without a clear vision or a respected leader at the helm, Alabama looks less like a dynasty and more like a program stuck in transition.

The pressure is mounting on DeBoer to turn things around—not just on the field, but in the culture he’s cultivating. Alabama fans don’t demand perfection, but they do expect toughness, discipline, and pride in the jersey. So far, those values have been missing. If DeBoer cannot galvanize his players and command the locker room, Alabama’s slide from dominance could become a full collapse.

The Tide still has talent, but talent without leadership is chaos. Unless something changes soon, Alabama’s most dangerous opponent may not be another team—it may be itself.