Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer has one critical task ahead of him if he wants to dethrone Georgia Bulldogs’ Kirby Smart once more.
Since stepping into the massive shoes left behind by Nick Saban, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has embraced the challenge of leading one of college football’s most storied programs. He inherits a team loaded with expectations and haunted by recent memories of Georgia’s ascension under Kirby Smart. For DeBoer to truly bring Alabama back to the summit of college football and reestablish dominance over the Georgia Bulldogs, he needs to accomplish one pivotal task — out-develop Kirby Smart.
Kirby Smart has transformed Georgia into a championship-caliber machine. Over the last several seasons, Smart has dominated the college football landscape with elite recruiting classes, ferocious defenses, and an unrelenting physical style of play that wears teams down. Georgia is no longer just a challenger to Alabama — it is the standard. And the key reason for Georgia’s meteoric rise has been Smart’s ability to take raw talent and polish it into NFL-ready dominance, particularly on defense.
That’s where Kalen DeBoer must focus. DeBoer doesn’t necessarily need to match Georgia star-for-star on signing day — although Alabama remains a top-tier recruiter — but he does need to ensure that his player development program becomes second to none. Alabama’s biggest advantage under Nick Saban wasn’t just recruiting; it was what happened after players arrived. That edge has narrowed in recent years, especially as Smart’s Bulldogs have become the model for defensive player development, sending wave after wave of first-round picks to the NFL.
DeBoer’s offensive acumen is unquestioned. He built high-octane units at Washington, engineered explosive passing attacks, and turned quarterbacks like Michael Penix Jr. into Heisman contenders. Offensively, Alabama is in good hands. But defense has always been the core of Alabama’s identity, and to bring down Georgia, DeBoer needs to make sure the Tide return to that level of elite physicality, discipline, and tactical intelligence that once defined them. That means hiring the right defensive staff, maintaining elite strength and conditioning, and building a culture of toughness that can survive the SEC gauntlet.
Alabama can no longer rely solely on out-recruiting the competition. NIL deals, the transfer portal, and Georgia’s consistency have made that era a thing of the past. DeBoer’s mission must now center around cultivating a developmental system where three-star players become All-SEC defenders and four-star recruits fulfill their five-star potential. Smart has perfected that blueprint at Georgia, and if Alabama doesn’t match it, the gap will only widen.
There’s also the matter of identity. Under Nick Saban, Alabama always had a clear and defined character: physical, disciplined, and built to win games in the trenches. As college football has evolved into a more offense-driven sport, Alabama adapted by integrating spread concepts and up-tempo schemes, but their championship DNA was still rooted in toughness. DeBoer needs to decide what Alabama football will look like under his watch. If he leans entirely into offense, he risks losing the rugged style that made Alabama different. But if he commits to balance — blending explosive offense with a smothering, fundamentally sound defense — he’ll build something sustainable.
Kirby Smart knows exactly who Georgia is. The Bulldogs are built around elite front sevens, a dominant run game, and controlling the pace of games. Georgia doesn’t flinch, even in high-pressure situations. That mental toughness and team cohesion come from consistent development and leadership. Alabama has always had leaders, but the baton must now be passed to DeBoer’s era. He needs to foster leadership in the locker room that echoes the voices of past Alabama greats like Jonathan Allen, C.J. Mosley, and Derrick Henry — guys who set the standard in both play and preparation.
The quarterback position will also be critical. If DeBoer can continue to develop Jalen Milroe into a dynamic, multi-dimensional threat — or find a quarterback who better fits his system long-term — that will allow Alabama to stay ahead of the curve offensively. Smart’s Georgia teams, while loaded with talent, have not typically featured transcendent quarterback play. Stetson Bennett was a two-time national champion because he was efficient, protected the ball, and fit the system perfectly. If DeBoer can identify and mold a signal-caller who both thrives within the system and elevates those around him, Alabama can pose problems that Georgia has yet to face on a consistent basis.
But DeBoer’s real challenge isn’t Georgia, at least not directly. It’s about building something that can outlast momentary matchups. When Alabama beat Georgia in the 2021 SEC Championship, it felt like a reminder that the Crimson Tide were still the kings. But Georgia responded, winning the national championship that year and again in 2022. What Smart has built isn’t reactionary — it’s structural. If DeBoer is going to knock Georgia off its perch, he has to construct a machine that is just as self-sustaining, just as relentless, and just as modern.
That includes mastering the new landscape of college football. Kirby Smart has used NIL and the transfer portal effectively, but not recklessly. Georgia still wins by developing talent from within. DeBoer must find that same balance. Alabama’s brand gives them a natural recruiting edge, and boosters are eager to remain a part of the national conversation. But short-term NIL wins don’t build long-term contenders. DeBoer needs to create a program that attracts players not just for immediate payouts but for development, culture, and championship legacy.
It will also come down to game day. Smart has proven to be a master tactician, especially in the biggest games. He learned under Saban how to prepare, how to adapt, and how to dominate with preparation. DeBoer has shown similar flashes, particularly with Washington’s playoff run. But now, every Saturday will be a test. Every game against LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and especially Georgia will come with national scrutiny. One mistake can ruin a season. One bad loss can derail momentum. DeBoer needs to become the type of game manager and situational coach who not only wins the games he should but also steals a few that others wouldn’t.
Culture also matters. Saban’s Alabama was not just a football team — it was a system. Players spoke in “process” terms. Every practice, every rep, every lift was done with intention. DeBoer needs to establish a new culture that both honors the past and ushers in the future. His players must buy into a vision that combines accountability, growth, and grit. Kirby Smart’s culture at Georgia has become synonymous with winning and professionalism. DeBoer’s culture must reflect that same hunger but do so in an Alabama way — one that brings back the pride, fear, and dominance that opponents used to feel when stepping onto the field against the Tide.
Off the field, DeBoer also needs to command the trust of Alabama’s massive fanbase and alumni network. There is no grace period in Tuscaloosa. Winning is the expectation, and championships are the standard. Anything less will be seen as regression. That pressure has crushed many coaches before. DeBoer must embrace it, not avoid it. He must channel it into motivation and allow it to drive the program forward. He’s not being asked to rebuild — he’s being asked to reassert. And to do that, he needs to beat Kirby Smart at his own game.
That doesn’t necessarily mean winning every head-to-head meeting. It means taking back the narrative, reclaiming the throne of player development, and creating a brand of football that is unmistakably Alabama — efficient, brutal, and elite. When the time comes, whether it’s in Atlanta or the College Football Playoff, DeBoer’s Alabama must be able to line up across from Georgia and impose their will.
Kirby Smart is not unbeatable. He’s just been better — more consistent, more organized, and more adaptive over the last few seasons. Kalen DeBoer doesn’t need to be Nick Saban, and he doesn’t need to mimic Georgia. But he does need to build a fortress in Tuscaloosa that rivals what Smart has built in Athens.
The good news for Alabama fans is that DeBoer seems to understand that. His early hires, his energy on the recruiting trail, and his ability to connect with players are all promising signs. But it’s what happens behind closed doors — in the meeting rooms, in the weight rooms, and on the practice fields — that will determine whether Alabama can rise again.
If Kalen DeBoer wants to bring down Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, he must focus on the one area that separates the great programs from the elite ones: development. Alabama already has the talent, the history, the resources, and the drive. Now it needs a leader who can mold it all into something unstoppable. That’s the task ahead. That’s the standard. And if DeBoer can rise to it, Alabama’s return to the top won’t just be possible — it will be inevitable.
