The atmosphere in the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility was tight, even though the sun had only begun to rise above Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s football season concluded in a dismal manner, finishing third in the SEC West and missing out on a postseason berth for the second year in a row. It was not acceptable for a program used to dominance to be mediocre.
To revive the Crimson Tide’s once-dreaded offense, Alabama hired offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, whom it had stolen from Washington. His stellar Pac-12 success had seemed like the ideal fit for his resume. However, things had not gone according to plan.
Sitting in his office, DeBoer watched game footage from their most recent defeat at the hands of Auburn. The offensive faltered in crucial situations during the Iron Bowl loss, which had been especially stinging. The fan base and boosters had been outspoken, expressing their dissatisfaction on social media and message forums. “The offense is too intricate!” “What happened to the explosive Alabama we knew?”
