Kalen DeBoer’s Top Priority for Alabama in 2025 Should Be Restoring the Crimson Tide’s Fear Factor, Says On3

When the Alabama Crimson Tide take the field in 2025, expectations will be sky-high — but that’s nothing new in Tuscaloosa. What is new, however, is the leadership steering the Alabama football machine. With Nick Saban’s retirement marking the end of an era, all eyes are on Kalen DeBoer as he steps into the most pressure-packed coaching job in college football. According to On3, DeBoer’s primary objective in his first full season at the helm is crystal clear: make Alabama scary again.

For nearly two decades under Saban, Alabama was the gold standard in college football — a dynasty built on relentless defense, NFL-caliber talent, and an unmistakable intimidation factor. Teams feared the Crimson Tide not just because of their championships, but because of the physical, smothering, and methodical style of play that left opponents battered, both physically and psychologically. Alabama didn’t just win; they dominated.

But in recent seasons, even before Saban walked away, cracks began to show. The Tide still won at an elite clip, but the aura of invincibility faded. They suffered upset losses, struggled to maintain defensive consistency, and found themselves in shootouts that would’ve been unthinkable during peak Saban years. Programs like Georgia, Michigan, and even SEC foes like LSU and Texas A&M began to close the gap, both on the recruiting trail and on the field. The intimidation factor that once paralyzed opponents seemed to dwindle, replaced by a belief that Alabama could be beaten.

Enter Kalen DeBoer — a coach with a sterling résumé, but one untested in the gladiator arena that is SEC football. DeBoer brings offensive brilliance, a proven track record from Washington, and a reputation for building well-coached, high-scoring teams. But, as On3 accurately points out, his ultimate success in Tuscaloosa won’t just hinge on winning games — it will depend on whether he can reignite the fear that Alabama once instilled in every opponent.

Making Alabama scary again isn’t just a slogan; it’s an all-encompassing mission that touches every facet of the program. It means dominating the trenches, fielding a defense that punishes and suffocates, developing quarterbacks who exude confidence and precision, and stockpiling elite talent at every position. It’s about walking onto the field and seeing the opponent wilt under the weight of crimson helmets, deafening crowds, and suffocating pressure.

One of the first steps for DeBoer is restoring defensive dominance. Under Saban, Alabama’s defense was a terror — built on speed, physicality, and NFL-ready athletes. In the final years of Saban’s tenure, however, inconsistencies crept in. The 2022 and 2023 seasons saw Alabama surrender uncharacteristic yardage totals and give up big plays in critical moments. To make Alabama scary again, DeBoer has to revamp the defense, bringing back that suffocating, aggressive identity that defined the Tide for years.

It starts with recruiting. Alabama still boasts one of the most talented rosters in the country, but the margin for error is slimmer than ever. Programs like Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas have matched Alabama’s recruiting firepower, meaning development and evaluation become even more critical. DeBoer, known for his ability to maximize player potential, must now prove he can do so at the SEC level, where physicality and speed reign supreme.

But defense is only part of the equation. Modern college football is driven by offense, and DeBoer’s track record in that department is what made him an appealing hire for Alabama. His Washington teams lit up scoreboards with precision passing attacks, innovative schemes, and quarterback play that turned heads nationwide. If Alabama is to reclaim its fear factor, it must blend its historical defensive dominance with a ruthless, explosive offense — an identity shift that even Saban embraced late in his career.

Jalen Milroe, assuming he remains the starter, could be the key to this transformation. The dual-threat quarterback showcased flashes of brilliance in 2024 but was also plagued by inconsistency. DeBoer’s quarterback-friendly system could elevate Milroe’s game to the next level, unlocking Alabama’s offense in ways that strike fear into opposing defenses. A dynamic, confident signal-caller under DeBoer’s tutelage could be exactly what the Crimson Tide need to become terrifying again.

The schedule in 2025 doesn’t afford DeBoer much breathing room. The expanded SEC slate and the College Football Playoff format increase the stakes. Every game will be a proving ground, every opponent eager to test whether Alabama’s mystique is truly back or merely a relic of the past. Texas, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee won’t fear the name on the jersey — they’ll look to exploit any signs of weakness. That’s why restoring Alabama’s psychological edge is paramount.

But DeBoer faces more than just on-field challenges. The transfer portal and NIL landscape have added layers of complexity to building and maintaining a powerhouse. DeBoer must not only recruit the nation’s top talent but also retain it, foster a culture that embraces competition, and navigate the external noise that comes with leading college football’s most scrutinized program. Making Alabama scary again means stabilizing the foundation, both in the locker room and within the fan base.

There’s also the historical pressure. Alabama fans don’t just expect success; they demand it. The standard Saban set — national titles, SEC dominance, top-ranked recruiting classes — isn’t going away because there’s a new coach in town. If anything, expectations have intensified. DeBoer isn’t walking into a rebuild; he’s inheriting a machine that, while still formidable, needs recalibration to reach its terrifying best.

On3’s assessment of DeBoer’s primary goal speaks to the unique challenges of coaching Alabama. Wins alone won’t satisfy. It’s about perception, reputation, and striking fear into the hearts of opponents before the opening whistle. Alabama football, at its peak, wasn’t just successful — it was overwhelming, relentless, and inevitable.

DeBoer’s mission is to rekindle that inevitability. To create a program where teams circle the Alabama game on the calendar not with hope, but with dread. Where opposing coaches lose sleep scheming for the Tide. Where stadiums shake with anticipation, and games are decided by Alabama’s sheer will, depth, and execution.

It’s not an easy task. Restoring the Crimson Tide’s fear factor in the modern era of college football — with parity, player movement, and evolving schemes — is perhaps the toughest assignment in the sport. But it’s also why DeBoer was hired. His offensive acumen, attention to detail, and proven ability to build winners make him a worthy candidate for the job. The question is whether he can scale those attributes to the SEC level, where the competition is fiercer, the spotlight is brighter, and the expectations are suffocating.

The 2025 season will provide answers. Alabama fans will watch closely, looking for signs that the intimidation factor is back. Dominant wins, suffocating defense, electric offense, and swagger on the field — all indicators that DeBoer’s Alabama is returning to the terrifying force it once was.

The college football world has changed, but the standard in Tuscaloosa has not. Kalen DeBoer’s top priority, as On3 suggests, isn’t just about adapting to those changes — it’s about reviving the identity that made Alabama football the most feared program in the nation. If he succeeds, the rest of the country will once again tremble when the Crimson Tide roll in.