Former Alabama Player Who Quit the Team Publicly Fires a Brutal Parting Shot at Crimson Tide Head Coach Kalen DeBoer

The post-Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa was always going to come with scrutiny, expectations, and inevitable turbulence. But things escalated this week when a former Alabama player who left the program delivered a scathing parting shot at new head coach Kalen DeBoer, throwing gasoline on the fire of what’s already been a rocky transition for the Crimson Tide.

While Alabama fans are still adjusting to life after the legendary Saban retired, DeBoer, the former Washington head coach, has been tasked with keeping Alabama among the nation’s elite. The early stages of his tenure have been filled with recruiting battles, transfer portal moves, and implementing new systems on both sides of the ball. But not everyone is buying into the new regime—and one former player made that crystal clear with his recent public comments.

The player in question, whose name quickly circulated across social media and sports talk shows, departed the program earlier this offseason, citing dissatisfaction with the new coaching staff’s direction. But it wasn’t until this week that he openly expressed his grievances, making headlines with pointed remarks directed at DeBoer.

In an interview with a national sports outlet, the player described the atmosphere under DeBoer as “not the Alabama standard,” suggesting that the culture and expectations that defined Saban’s dynasty have eroded.

“It didn’t feel like Alabama anymore,” the player remarked. “There’s a certain standard, a certain mentality we built here under Coach Saban. I didn’t see that same fire, that same discipline with the new staff. I wasn’t going to stick around and pretend it’s the same when it’s not.”

The comments have stirred debate within the Alabama fan base, with some sympathizing with the player’s frustrations and others labeling him a quitter who abandoned his teammates.

This isn’t the first time growing pains have emerged during a coaching change at a storied program, but Alabama is no ordinary program. Under Saban, the Crimson Tide became synonymous with dominance, winning six national championships and producing NFL stars at an unprecedented rate. Any deviation from that formula is bound to raise eyebrows.

DeBoer, for his part, has largely stayed quiet regarding the player’s remarks. At SEC Media Days earlier this month, DeBoer acknowledged that adjusting to a new era is a process but emphasized his commitment to upholding Alabama’s proud football tradition.

“Look, this program has been built on excellence, hard work, and accountability,” DeBoer said. “We respect that, we embrace that, and we’re working every day to continue that legacy. Change can be tough, but I believe in our team, our staff, and our vision for Alabama football.”

Still, for many players who committed to Saban’s version of Alabama, the transition hasn’t been seamless. The player who left suggested that several others in the locker room share his concerns but are choosing to stay silent, at least for now.

“Not everyone’s going to say it out loud,” the player added. “But trust me, some of those guys feel the same. It’s different now, and not everybody’s cool with it.”

The departure itself wasn’t entirely unexpected. Throughout the spring, rumors circulated that certain veteran players were uneasy with the new leadership style and the changes to both offensive and defensive schemes. The transfer portal window, which has become a pivotal tool for player movement in college football, saw Alabama lose multiple contributors as DeBoer reshaped the roster to fit his vision.

It’s worth noting, however, that DeBoer has also brought in highly-touted transfers and secured major commitments from top recruits, indicating that not all see the new era as a step backward.

Some former Alabama greats have weighed in on the situation, urging patience and unity during the transition.

“You’re never going to please everybody,” former Crimson Tide linebacker and NFL star Dont’a Hightower said during a recent radio appearance. “Coach Saban set the bar sky-high, but that doesn’t mean someone new can’t come in and lead this program to success. Give Coach DeBoer a fair shot.”

Still, critics point to DeBoer’s lack of SEC experience and the vastly different landscape of the Pac-12, where he coached at Washington. Skeptics worry that adjusting to the rigors of the SEC—where every game feels like a heavyweight bout—could expose weaknesses in DeBoer’s system.

The former player’s comments have only added fuel to that skepticism, especially among Alabama’s notoriously passionate fan base known as the Crimson Tide faithful.

Across fan message boards and social media, reactions have ranged from frustration to defiance. Some fans expressed concern that DeBoer may struggle to maintain the discipline and high standards Saban instilled, while others blasted the departing player for “quitting” rather than fighting through adversity.

“You don’t leave your brothers behind because things get hard,” one fan posted on an Alabama forum. “The Alabama standard is about toughness, loyalty, and overcoming challenges—not walking away and pointing fingers.”

The situation underscores the delicate balancing act DeBoer faces: implementing his own vision for the program while honoring the traditions and expectations that have defined Alabama football for nearly two decades.

It’s also a reminder that transitions, even at powerhouse programs, often come with bumps in the road, internal tensions, and the occasional public airing of grievances.

For now, DeBoer and his staff appear focused on moving forward. The new-look Crimson Tide are deep into summer workouts, with several key position battles underway ahead of fall camp. Eyes will be on the quarterback competition, the reshuffled defensive scheme, and how quickly the team can buy into DeBoer’s philosophy.

If Alabama returns to its winning ways this season, much of the noise surrounding the player’s comments may fade. But if the Crimson Tide stumble—especially by their lofty standards—the criticism will only grow louder, and DeBoer’s ability to navigate the storm will be tested even further.

One thing is certain: Alabama football remains one of the most scrutinized programs in the country, and every word, every transfer, every missed tackle or touchdown pass will be analyzed under the microscope.

As for the former player who delivered the parting shot, only time will tell whether his critique was warranted or merely the product of frustration in the face of inevitable change.

For Kalen DeBoer, the mission is clear: win games, develop players, maintain the standard, and prove that Alabama football’s best days aren’t confined to the Nick Saban era. The journey won’t be easy, and along the way, there will be doubters—some from inside the locker room and some from beyond it.

But as history shows, the only response that silences critics in Tuscaloosa is victory.