Kalen DeBoer at SEC media days 2024: Top 5 questions we want the Alabama HC to answer
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is preparing for his first season in charge of the Crimson Tide following Nick Saban's retirement at the end of last season.
DeBoer spent the previous two seasons as the head coach of the Washington Huskies and led the team to the College Football Playoff championship game in 2023.
With SEC Media Days set to take place from July 15-18, the new head coach of the Crimson Tide will receive a lot of media attention.
Here is a look at five questions we want to hear Kalen DeBoer answer during his appearance at this year's SEC Media Days.
Top 5 questions for Kalen DeBoer at SEC Media Days 2024
![Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer [Image: IMAGN]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/22984471-1720290718.jpeg?w=500)
#1 How has the transition from Washington to Alabama been?
DeBoer spent the last two seasons with the Huskies, one of the top teams in the Pac-12 last season. He quickly established a winning program and brought the team to a title game in just his second season.
Alabama has proven to be one of the most dominant programs in college football history and has championship aspirations every season. This will place a lot of pressure on DeBoer to immediately produce a championship-caliber team in his first season with the program.
Knowing how different this new responsibility is for DeBoer compared to his earlier job would be of interest to the fans.
#2 What has been the impact of the transfer portal during the offseason?
Nick Saban's retirement had an instant impact on the Crimson Tide roster for the 2024 season. A number of players went straight to the transfer portal to find a new program, which left Alabama with a lot of holes to attempt to fill with the arrival of Kalen DeBoer.
Caleb Downs, Isaiah Bond, Julian Sayin, Dezz Ricks and Amari Niblack are among the most devastating losses for Alabama through the transfer portal. However, they did manage to bring more talent into the program, including Parker Brailsford, LT Overton, Keon Sabb and Domani Jackson.
Is this sufficient or are the Crimson Tide still badly damaged by the exit of many of their leading players?
#3 What is the biggest difference he's noticed between coaching at Washington and coaching at Alabama?
It might not truly hit Kalen DeBoer until he steps inside Alabama's over 100,000-capacity Bryant-Denny Stadium for the team's home opener. But there is undoubtedly a difference between coaching at Washington and Alabama.
Many fans could be wondering what the coach's mindset is moving to such an established college football program with a rich history. While Washington's program is filled with a history of its own, Alabama owns the spot for the second-most college football national championships with 16 title wins.
#4 Is an SEC championship a realistic expectation in his first season?
Alabama has won three of the last four SEC championship games, including last season's 27-24 victory over Georgia to claim the top spot in the conference.
After having time to work with his new squad during the spring and early summer, what is the most realistic expectation DeBoer has for his team in his first season?
The Crimson Tide certainly have the talent to compete for the conference title this season. But sometimes, a new coach needs a period of adjustment before building a championship-caliber team.
Alabama has an SEC record of 15 appearances in the conference championship game. Fans will be curious if the immediate expectation remains to bring the Crimson Tide their 12th SEC title.
#5 Is there a player on the roster who is set to have a breakout season in 2024?
Kalen DeBoer's roster at Alabama is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Familiar names like Jalen Milroe, Deontae Lawson and Tyler Booker have already shown that they can make an impact with their outstanding play in 2023.
DeBoer has now had time to identify if there are any other names who are on the verge of stardom.
With Alabama's top rushers from last season, Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, moving on from the team, it could open the door for a new star tailback in Tuscaloosa. Jam Miller will return in the backfield alongside Justice Haynes as the top ball carriers for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama also lost a large chunk of their receiving core from 2023, but will see Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law take a bigger role alongside Washington transfer Germie Bernard. Caleb Odom is a four-star freshman recruit who could eventually emerge as a dangerous weapon in the Tide's pass game.
Which question would you like to see asked to Kalen DeBoer during SEC Media Days 2024? Let us know in the comment section.