Alabama football after Nick Saban’s legendary tenure
While fans remain uncertain due to the Crimson Tide’s inconsistent season, players appear to stand firmly behind their coach. Despite losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma—blamed largely on offensive and defensive errors—Alabama captain Malachi Moore publicly backed DeBoer during an appearance on “Hey Coach.”
Some fans have questioned Athletic Director Greg Byrne’s decision to hire DeBoer, as Alabama is out of SEC Championship contention and barely clinging to hopes of making the 12-team College Football Playoff. However, Moore, a fifth-year senior, voiced strong support for his coach.
“The way he came in and aligned the way he did stuff with the way we do stuff here… he did a great job at allowing us to be vocal,” Moore said. “It’s been great playing for Coach DeBoer.”
Moore, a standout safety, has spent four years under Nick Saban, winning a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020 and earning three SEC Championship rings in 2020, 2021, and 2023. This season, Moore has amassed 66 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. His leadership anchors Alabama’s defense, and he has the opportunity to cap his career with five consecutive Iron Bowl victories against Auburn this Saturday.
As DeBoer seeks to end the regular season with a win, Moore’s public support highlights the belief within the team, even as questions linger among fans.
