Ken Ruinard / staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Paul Finebaum Reveals if Kalen DeBoer Will Be Fired if Alabama Misses CFP Again

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide made the College Football Playoff eight times during the Nick Saban era.

The program missed the inaugural 12-team playoff last season after going 9-3 in the regular season. Paul Finebaum joined a recent episode of " Get Up" to discuss if missing the playoff again would result in Kalen DeBoer's firing.

Finebaum believed that it would not end with DeBoer's firing, but the pressure would start to ramp up. He thought DeBoer had done a good enough job in recruiting to keep his job even if Alabama does not make the CFP in 2025.

Alabama finished 9-4 under DeBoer in 2024.

"But if he doesn't make the playoffs, the pressure will intensify," Finebaum said. "He won't be fired; he is still in rather good standing because of the recruiting, but he needs to make the CFP."

Things have changed from year one to year two for DeBoer. For starters, Jalen Milroe is now in the NFL, meaning a new face will be under center in 2025.

Ty Simpson was named the starting quarterback by DeBoer following spring practice. Simpson has been the backup quarterback for three seasons and was a former five-star prospect in the 2022 class.

Simpson commented on what changed last season, believing the Alabama standard was not present.

Finebaum did not hold back on what a successful season for Alabama would look like in 2025. He stated that the Crimson Tide must make the playoff.

DeBoer and Alabama face the Florida State Seminoles in their season opener on August 30. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

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