That’s the million-dollar question in Tuscaloosa as a new era begins. For nearly two decades, Alabama football was defined by the presence of one man. Nick Saban didn’t just win games—he built a dynasty. Six national championships, 11 SEC titles, and a culture of discipline, development, and dominance that turned the Crimson Tide into college football’s gold standard. But with Saban now retired and Kalen DeBoer taking over, the rest of the SEC—and the nation—is watching closely to see whether Alabama can keep rolling, or if the departure of their legendary coach marks the end of an era.
“I’m not saying Alabama’s going to fall off a cliff,” said the anonymous SEC coach. “They’ve got talent. That’s never the issue. But you take away Saban, and everything changes. He was the identity. The fear factor. The standard. That’s hard to replace.”
Indeed, the roster is still loaded. The Crimson Tide continue to recruit at an elite level, ranking among the top classes in the country year after year. Quarterback Julian Sayin is a star in the making. The offensive and defensive lines are stacked with four- and five-star talent. Skill positions remain dynamic. The resources, facilities, and fan support are unrivaled. But none of those things answer the central question: Can Alabama be Alabama without Saban?
It’s not just about the Xs and Os. It’s about culture. Saban’s relentless attention to detail, his obsession with “The Process,” and his ability to get elite players to buy into a team-first mentality set him apart. Players feared him—but they also respected him. NFL scouts knew what kind of pros came out of Tuscaloosa. Opponents knew what kind of preparation they were facing. Every Saturday, Alabama played with a level of focus and intensity that few programs could match.
Now, the challenge for DeBoer isn’t just about implementing his system. It’s about inheriting a machine built by the greatest college coach of all time and trying to keep it running at full speed. That’s a monumental task, even for a coach with a proven track record.
DeBoer, who went 25-3 in two seasons at Washington and led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2024, isn’t lacking in credentials. He’s a gifted offensive mind and a respected leader. He’s shown he can win at a high level. But the expectations in Tuscaloosa are unlike anywhere else in the country. Winning 10 games isn’t good enough. Playing in a New Year’s Six bowl isn’t good enough. Only national titles will do.
That pressure can either forge greatness or expose weakness.
The anonymous coach added, “You look at what happened to Oklahoma after Lincoln Riley left. Or Ohio State post-Urban Meyer. They’re still good. But that aura isn’t quite the same. People don’t fear them the same way. That’s what I think could happen to Bama.”
In many ways, 2025 is a crossroads season for Alabama. If the Tide stumble, it will only fuel the narrative that Saban was the glue holding everything together. If they thrive, it will validate DeBoer and suggest that Alabama’s machine is bigger than any one man—even Saban.
The early signs are mixed. Alabama lost several key players to the NFL Draft and the transfer portal, but also brought in a strong recruiting class and added talent through the portal. DeBoer retained some staffers from Saban’s era but also brought in new voices to install his vision. The spring game offered glimpses of potential, but also revealed areas of concern—particularly on defense, where communication and consistency were lacking.
Then there’s the SEC itself. Georgia remains a juggernaut. LSU is dangerous. Texas and Oklahoma are now in the fold, making the road to the conference title even more treacherous. There are no easy weeks. Every game will be a test, not just of talent, but of leadership and resilience.
Another SEC assistant pointed out that the psychological edge Saban brought to every matchup can’t be understated.
“When Saban was on the other sideline, your players knew it. You felt it all week. You had to play a perfect game just to have a shot. That’s gone now. Teams are going to go into Tuscaloosa believing they can win. That changes things.”
For DeBoer, earning the trust of his locker room will be crucial. While many of the players committed to play for Saban, they now have to buy into a new philosophy, a new style, and a new voice. Culture doesn’t change overnight, but it can unravel quickly if cracks form and expectations aren’t met.
Julian Sayin’s development will be closely watched. The former five-star quarterback and early enrollee has all the tools, but he’ll be leading a team in transition. His leadership, poise, and ability to execute under pressure will be pivotal in determining whether Alabama remains a playoff contender.
There’s also the matter of recruiting. Saban was a closer. His presence alone swayed elite talent to commit to Alabama. Can DeBoer maintain that level of recruiting dominance? Early returns are encouraging, but questions remain about whether Alabama can keep pace with schools like Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas in the NIL era.
“There’s no doubt in my mind they’ll still get players,” the anonymous coach said. “But keeping them? Developing them? That’s where Saban really separated himself. He didn’t just get the best guys—he turned them into first-round picks and national champions. That’s not easy to replicate.”
DeBoer’s success in 2025 won’t just be measured by wins and losses. It will be about maintaining the standard. The “Alabama Way” isn’t just about performance—it’s about process. Saban famously preached that you don’t focus on outcomes, but on preparation, discipline, and execution. That mindset created a culture where excellence was expected, and anything less was unacceptable.
Whether that culture can survive without the man who built it is what every coach, fan, and player is waiting to see.
One thing is clear: no one in the SEC is taking Alabama lightly. The program still carries enormous weight. But it’s no longer invincible. The mystique has faded, if only slightly. That small window of doubt is enough for opponents to believe that the Tide can be toppled.
For DeBoer, the mission is simple in theory but daunting in execution: uphold the legacy, establish his identity, and prove that Alabama football isn’t a one-man empire.
History offers mixed examples. When Bobby Bowden left Florida State, the program declined. When Pete Carroll exited USC, the Trojans faltered. But when Bob Stoops handed the reins to Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma remained a power—at least for a time. Sustaining success after a legendary coach departs is possible, but it requires the perfect mix of timing, leadership, and buy-in from everyone in the building.
Alabama has the infrastructure. The resources. The talent. What it doesn’t have—yet—is proof that the Saban blueprint can function without Saban.
That’s why 2025 is so important.
It’s the first page of a new chapter. Not just for DeBoer, but for the entire Alabama program. Every game, every play, every press conference will be dissected. Is the standard slipping? Are the players responding? Does this feel like Alabama?
Until proven otherwise, those questions will linger.
The rest of the SEC won’t be waiting for Alabama to figure it out. They’re preparing to pounce.
“This is the first time in a long time where you can say, ‘Maybe they’re vulnerable,’” the anonymous coach concluded. “And in this league, if you show any weakness, people will exploit it.”
So the pressure is on. Not to rebuild, but to reload. To show that the Alabama dynasty wasn’t just a product of one brilliant coach, but a sustainable model of excellence. DeBoer has embraced the challenge. Now comes the hard part—living up to it.
In a sport where perception can shape reality, Alabama must fight to preserve both. The brand remains powerful, but the mystique is on trial.
Whether the Tide can stay elite without Saban is the question on everyone’s mind.
In 2025, we’ll finally get our answer.
