Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer has been a costly decision for the Crimson Tide in more ways than one.

After hitting a 17-year low and losing 24 players, the iconic Alabama football program is at a crossroads. Will bold recruitment efforts be enough to rebuild its legacy?

Jason Jones, a Tuscaloosa native, former Alabama defensive back and cornerbacks coach at North Carolina, was added to the Crimson Tide 's staff as an assistant defensive backs coach, Yea Alabama, the University of Alabama Name, Image and Likeness collective, announced Friday.

Here’s what Kalen DeBoer’s career has looked like in his second seasons as a head coach ahead of heading into year two at Alabama.

Let’s take a look at answering that question by handing out some grades for Alabama football in year No. 1 under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Jalen Milroe and Tyler Booker are confident in the direction the program is heading under the leadership of DeBoer.

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.

But 9-4 won’t cut it Alabama. Not this year, not any year now that Nick Saban has set the standard so preposterously high via 6 national championships and 9 SEC crowns in 17 seasons. Fair or not, DeBoer walked into what can confidently be called an unwinnable situation – unwinnable, of course, unless he won every game in the 2024 season.

Alabama brought in 14 transfers last offseason. Kalen DeBoer, his assistants, and general manager Courtney Morgan did a good job of identifying players that fit the team’s needs and identity.

Alabama starts the 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Florida State. The Tide also host Wisconsin during nonconference play before getting their SEC season underway. It’ll be important for DeBoer to get off to a hot start in those games to keep the heat off of him.