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ESPN's Marty Smith Defends Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer
Smith calls calls for DeBoer's ouster "completely utterly ridiculous and asinine"
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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ESPN analyst Marty Smith has come to the defense of Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer, who has faced criticism following the Crimson Tide's disappointing 2025 season. Smith praised DeBoer's coaching and questioned who Alabama would even hire to replace him if he were let go.
Why it matters
DeBoer is only in his second season as Alabama's head coach, but the expectations at the powerhouse program are extremely high. While the Tide had a 10-2 regular season, their blowout loss in the SEC Championship and poor showing in the postseason have led some to call for DeBoer's job, despite his overall success in big games.
The details
In an appearance on 'The Next Round' podcast, Smith called DeBoer a 'tremendous' coach and said that trying to "run him out the door" would be "completely utterly ridiculous and asinine." Smith also questioned who Alabama would even be able to hire to replace DeBoer, suggesting that current Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning may be the only viable option.
- DeBoer is embarking on his third campaign as Alabama's head coach in 2026.
The players
Kalen DeBoer
The current head football coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, who is in his second season leading the program.
Marty Smith
An ESPN analyst who has defended DeBoer and questioned calls for his ouster as Alabama's head coach.
Dan Lanning
The current defensive coordinator for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, who Marty Smith suggested may be the only viable replacement for DeBoer at Alabama.
Nick Saban
The legendary former head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, who won multiple national championships with the program.
What they’re saying
“I think he's tremendous. I am a huge fan of the way that he came into Alabama and didn't try and be baby (Nick) Saban. He came in and immediately injected his own culture. He has won a ton of football games.”
— Marty Smith, ESPN Analyst (The Next Round podcast)
“To try and run him out the door to me is completely utterly ridiculous and asinine.”
— Marty Smith, ESPN Analyst (The Next Round podcast)
“You tell me… if it's not him, who will they get who will come to Tuscaloosa right now? Is it going to be Dan Lanning, who to me, is the only answer. That's the only answer, because Kirby (Smart) ain't coming.”
— Marty Smith, ESPN Analyst (The Next Round podcast)
What’s next
The Alabama Crimson Tide will begin their 2026 season in September, with high expectations for Kalen DeBoer and the program.
The takeaway
Despite Alabama's disappointing 2025 campaign, ESPN's Marty Smith believes that firing head coach Kalen DeBoer would be an overreaction, arguing that DeBoer has proven himself as a 'tremendous' coach who has already had success against top opponents. Smith's defense of DeBoer highlights the challenges of coaching at a powerhouse program like Alabama, where the standards are extremely high.
