It’s Monday, and people are still talking about Alabama losing to Florida State.
Most are saying that Alabama was not only outcoached but outmaneuvered and outplayed.
But ESPN’s Paul Finebaum put it simply that Alabama looked soft.
Finebaum made an appearance on “Get Up” Monday morning, saying what a lot of America thinks about the Tide:
“They looked soft and Kalen DeBoer looked clueless at times,” said Finebaum
One of the markings of a Nick Saban team was how tough they were and intimidating, not anymore. When their toughness was called into question by Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos, many expected the team to step up, but they didn’t.
Finebaum said Alabama fans and alums are already calling for Kalen DeBoer’s head.
“They will be calling for his firing, said Finebaum. “They want him out. This was a national championship contender.”
Despite what fans may want, the reality is, Alabama would have to pay a hefty price if they want DeBoer out. His buyout is $70 million.
“The financial reality is, I don't think they will be able to get rid of him,” says Finebaum.
Another reality is that no matter how bad the Tide may look, they aren’t dumping DeBoer in the middle of the season; they’d have to wait, pay him off, and go through another exhausting coaching search.
Another possibility, however, is that Nick Saban steps back in if things went left for Alabama. Rumors suggested that he wanted to return to coaching (something he denies); however, would he take the program back over if he thought DeBoer was damaging his legacy?
You never know. It would be interesting to see what Saban will have to say after Bama’s embarrassing loss at Florida State.