Here’s a hard pill to swallow for Alabama fans: the Crimson Tide’s glory days under Nick Saban are gone for good. And this is the part most people miss—they’re never coming back. But why? Let’s dive in.
If you were a college football fan in the 2010s, Alabama wasn’t just a team—it was the team. Under Saban, the Crimson Tide wasn’t just dominant; they were a dynasty, setting the standard for every other program. But fast forward to today, and the tide has turned—literally. After a humiliating loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl, the same questions that surfaced after Saban’s departure are back with a vengeance. How can new head coach Kalen DeBoer possibly restore Alabama to its former glory?
But here’s where it gets controversial: On his podcast, college football commentator Josh Pate didn’t hold back. ‘He’s not going to,’ Pate declared bluntly. ‘And expecting him to is a waste of time.’ Before you jump to conclusions, Pate isn’t knocking DeBoer’s skills. The second-year coach is more than capable—he didn’t suddenly lose his touch after moving to Tuscaloosa. The real issue? The game has evolved, and the Saban-era dominance is a relic of a bygone era.
‘Even if Saban returned tomorrow, he couldn’t recreate what he built a decade ago,’ Pate explained. Why? Because college football isn’t the same game anymore. Just look at Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, who’s struggling because he’s clinging to an outdated model. Trying to replicate Saban’s past success would be like trying to win a modern race with a horse-drawn carriage.
Pate drew a parallel to Mario Cristobal’s candid remark about the University of Miami: ‘The U is never coming back.’ It wasn’t pessimism—it was realism. The Hurricanes of the late ’80s and early ’90s were a product of their time, just like Saban’s Alabama. You can’t resurrect the past; you can only build for the future.
And this is the part most people miss: The landscape of college football has shifted dramatically. With NIL deals and the transfer portal, the playing field is more level than ever. Gone are the days when Alabama could simply stack five-star recruits on the bench and out-talent every opponent. That strategy? It’s as outdated as a flip phone in a smartphone world.
Pate believes Alabama can still thrive under DeBoer—but only if he addresses the glaring issues, starting with staffing. ‘You’ll see staff moves,’ Pate predicted, suggesting that while there are ‘really good people’ in the program, some simply ‘don’t belong.’
Here’s the bottom line: Alabama isn’t the unstoppable force it once was, and that’s okay. The sooner fans accept this reality, the sooner they can embrace a new era instead of chasing ghosts. This doesn’t mean the Crimson Tide will never win another championship—it just means they’ll have to adapt to the modern game.
Controversial question for you: Is it fair to expect DeBoer to replicate Saban’s success, or should Alabama fans lower their expectations and embrace a new identity? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
