Kalen DeBoer Addresses Wardrobe Criticism

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas Simon | Last updated May 9, 2025 10:13 AM ET

Kalen DeBoer's first season as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide had a mix of highs and lows as the team posted a 9-4 record in its first campaign following the retirement of Nick Saban.

The lowest point came on October 5 when the No. 1 Tide suffered a stunning 40-35 loss at Vanderbilt, marking the program's first loss to the Commodores since 1984. Alabama fans took to social media to torch DeBoer for a number of things following the upset and chief among the criticisms was....his wardrobe choice.

Yes, the new head coach was taken to task for wearing a t-shirt during the game, saying that he looked unprofessional and "bush league" compared to his legendary predecessor Saban.

Speaking with USA Today's Blake Toppmeyer, the head coach finally addressed this critique.

"You know that everything is going to be analyzed – literally everything – but, again, that’s what you signed up for, and I’m good with that. I just want to try to bring as many people together," DeBoer said. "There’s going to be people who are always against you, right? That’s college football. That’s rivalries. That’s you being devoted to your team, and I love that. It’s special, because this is the pro team here. There isn’t an NFL or NBA or Major League Baseball team in Alabama. This is it. That’s awesome. I love it."

Would Alabama fans have lit DeBoer up for his shirt choice had the Tide simply handled business against Vanderbilt as expected? Most likely not. But as the head coach alluded to, petty grievances like that comes with the territory when you sit under a microscope in arguably the most high-pressure job in the country.

So if Alabama stumbles out the gate against Florida State to open the 2025 season, you can definitely expect his casual fits to come under fire yet again.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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