Alabama football has completed its first year under Kalen DeBoer, with success varying and the end being something far different from what Crimson Tide supporters had come to anticipate from Nick Saban-led teams.
Alabama concluded with nine wins, the fewest by any Saban team since his first season in 2007, and the end of a 16-year streak of 10 wins or more and three losses or fewer.
The second year of the DeBoer era has officially begun, with many returning defensive players from 2024, a new starting quarterback, and the same expectations that Alabama has been accustomed to each offseason.
But in Year 2, what standards does DeBoer have to meet in comparison to previous Alabama football coaches?
Four finished with ten or more wins.
One finished with an SEC championship appearance.
However, none won a national or conference championship.
Before the games begin on August 30 at Florida State, here’s a look back at the Crimson Tide’s second-year coaching history.
How did Nick Saban fare in his second season at Alabama football?
Following a seven-win season in 2007, Saban and Alabama reversed the trend in 2008.
The Crimson Tide concluded the regular season unblemished, defeating No. 9 Clemson in the season opener for the first of three top-15 victories. Alabama was ranked first in the US LBM Coaches Poll for the whole month of November.
Saban led Alabama to its first SEC championship game since 1999, but the team fell to No. 2 Florida, 31-20, in the BCS National Championship Game. Alabama eventually lost to No. 7 Utah in the Sugar Bowl.
Alabama’s 12 wins in 2008 marked its first double-digit win season since 2005, and the program’s third since 1999.
How did Bear Bryant do in Alabama’s second football season?
After finishing 5-4-1 in Bear Bryant’s debut season in 1958, Alabama improved in 1959.
Alabama finished 7-2-2, including rated wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn, a draw with a ranked Tennessee squad, and a Liberty Bowl loss to a ranked Penn State team.
The Crimson Tide began the season unranked and finished No. 10 in the final Associated Press poll.
Which Alabama coaches underperformed in Year 2?
Six Alabama football coaches completed their second seasons with fewer wins than their first.
Ray Perkins, who started with an 8-4 record in 1983, led the Crimson Tide to a 5-6 record in 1984, losing to Boston College, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU. Alabama started the season ranked ninth in the AP poll but finished unranked.
Other than Perkins, no Alabama coach has had a regression in Year 2 since 1948, when Red Drew’s Crimson Tide finished 6-4-1 following an 8-3 first season.
Frank Thomas (1932), Thomas Kelley (1916), Tubby Graves (1912), and J.W.H. Pollard (1907) all guided the Tide to fewer victories in their second seasons as head coaches.
Which Alabama football coaches departed after two seasons?
Two Alabama football coaches left the program after two seasons.
W.B. Blount left the Crimson Tide after finishing 10-7 in two seasons from 1903-04.
Dennis Franchione, who led the Crimson Tide to a 17-8 record in 2001-02, departed the team after 2002 to become head coach at Texas A&M.
How Alabama football performed in a coach’s second season
Nick Saban (2008: 12–2)
Mike Shula (2004): 6–6
Dennis Franchione (2002): 10–3.
Mike DuBose (1998): 7–5.
Gene Stallings (1991): 11–1.
Bill Curry (1988): 9–3.
Ray Perkins (1984): 5–6
Bear Bryant (1959 7-2-2
Jennings Whitworth (1956): 2-7-1.
Red Drew (1948): 6:4-1
Frank Thomas (1932): 8–2.
Wallace Wade (1924): 8–1.
Xen Scott (1920), 10-1
Thomas Kelley (1916): 6–3.
Tubby Graves (1912): 5-3-1.
J.W.H. Pollard (1907), 5-1-2
W.B. Blount (1904): 7–3.