Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Alabama football’s head coach didn’t meet expectations. There’s plenty of places where a nine-win season and a bowl appearance would be cause for celebration under a new coach, but Tuscaloosa isn’t one of them, especially after Nick Saban’s tenure.

MOBILE, Ala. — Kalen DeBoer knows Alabama football has to be better. Standing outside of Hancock Whitney Stadium for the 2025 Senior Bowl, the Alabama football coach harkened back to his expectation for the Crimson Tide when he first took the job: to perform at a championship level.

Ray Perkins, who started with an 8-4 record in 1983, led the Crimson Tide to a 5-6 record in 1984 with losses to Boston College, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU. Alabama entered the season No. 9 in the AP poll, and finished the season unranked.

Here's why the Crimson Tide's head coach supports a proposal to eliminate one portal entry window, and cut another in half.

On Jan. 24, 2024, Saraland five-star wide receiver Ryan William s re-committed to Alabama football, initially ending his commitment after Nick Saban's retirement. One year later, Williams, per DeBoer, has developed into one of the leaders of the Crimson Tide wide receiver room before he's reached his 18th birthday.

Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer spoke about Ryan Grubb, Jason Jones and many other topics during a visit to the 2025 Senior Bowl.

Kalen DeBoer said he didn't need to add an Alabama football alum to his coaching staff. But with Jason Jones, it was an added bonus. After firing Colin Hitschler after one season with the Crimson Tide,