Stephen A. Smith believes Alabama should already be thinking about replacing head coach Kalen DeBoer and named Deion Sanders as the ideal replacement.
Speaking on First Take with Paul Finebaum, the ESPN host didn’t hold back in his criticism of DeBoer, who went 9–4 in his first season with the Crimson Tide.
Smith questioned the program’s direction under its new coach, calling last year’s team ‘considerably softer’ than those led by Nick Saban.
‘You can’t have somebody that brings a finesse-style of game to Alabama,’ Smith said. ‘That’s meat and potatoes, y’all.’
Alabama’s 2024 season ended in disappointment, with upset losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma that kept the Tide out of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
While DeBoer was brought in to lead the program into a new era after Saban’s retirement, Smith made it clear he doesn’t believe the hire was the right one.
Stephen A. Smith offered some brutal advice to a college football powerhouse on Tuesday
Smith said Alabama should replace Kalen DeBoer and said Deion Sanders is the ideal candidate
‘I wouldn’t mind at all if Alabama changed course and brought in someone like ‘Prime Time’ (Sanders) to Alabama,’ Smith said.
‘That would’ve been spectacular. I think it is something they should still consider down the line if this season is a repeat of last season.’
Smith opened the segment by discussing the idea of Sanders getting a head coaching job in the SEC and said Sanders at Alabama is a scenario worth imagining.
‘Just imagine if he were in Tuscaloosa,’ Smith said. ‘What if, instead of DeBoer, it was him coaching Alabama?’
He then brought up Florida State – Sanders’ alma mater – and revealed that Sanders was once seriously interested in taking that job before he ever landed at Jackson State or Colorado.
‘What if Florida State (of the ACC) had gone with him?’ Smith asked. ‘Not saying their coach didn’t do a damn good job a couple of years back.
Smith went on to claim that Sanders was once seriously interested in taking the job
‘My goodness, that’s where he wanted to go. He desperately wanted to go back to Florida State, but they didn’t want him.
‘I know this for a fact because I was on the phone with him when it was all going down.’
Sanders is currently entering his third season as head coach at Colorado, where his arrival generated massive attention across the college football world.
DeBoer, meanwhile, was hired in January 2024 after leading Washington to a national championship appearance.
