Paul Finebaum doubts Kalen DeBoer has control of Alabama program: 'He doesn't connect'

Alabama opened year two of the Kalen DeBoer era last Saturday afternoon with a disappointing 31-17 loss to unranked Florida State on the road. It marked the Crimson Tide’s third loss in their last four games dating back to last season and DeBoer’s fourth loss in eight games where Alabama has been at least a 14-point favorite.

The less-than-stellar season-opening performance has led many to assess DeBoer’s ability to coach at the highest level of college football, as Alabama is now just 9-5 in 16 games under the former Washington head coach. Alabama opened a season with a loss for the first time since 2001 (UCLA) and has now lost three of its last four games dating back to last season (Oklahoma, Michigan and Florida State).

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum joined AL.com to discuss DeBoer’s situation at Alabama. Finebaum quickly compared how Nick Saban ran the program to how DeBoer currently runs the program, claiming that the latter just “doesn’t connect.”

“It’s so dramatically different,” Finebaum said. “You had one man who had complete control and enormous charisma who commands the stage and another guy who we’re told is a really good football coach but has no charisma and doesn’t command anything. Now, why do I bring that up? Some of the players are the same on these teams. Saban had command of the program. I don’t think DeBoer does, whether he serves yogurt or ice cream. It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t connect. It’s no longer a small sample size. We’ve had 14 games.

“Everybody knows the stats. Everybody knows what has happened since the second half began of the Georgia game last September. It has been surreal. While Saturday should not have been an upset or a surprise because we’ve seen all this, I was led to believe that it would be different. I’m using Kalen DeBoer as my primary source because I sat next to him in Atlanta. He said the number one thing going for us is that we retained our roster. So excited about that.

“And then the Ryan Grubb thing and even other people (Greg McElroy) report back that he had been at practice. The only concern he had was special teams. I don’t even remember the special teams Saturday.”

The ‘Noles and Crimson Tide were tied at seven through the first quarter, but Florida State rattled off 17 unanswered points to take a 24-7 lead with 9:45 remaining in the third quarter. Alabama cut it to a 24-17 game courtesy of a Rico Scott receiving touchdown early in the fourth, but a rushing touchdown by FSU back Gavin Sawchuck all but wrapped up the win for the ‘Noles.

Facing a boatload of adversity now, DeBoer will have to steer the program back on track to avoid a firestorm in Tuscaloosa. The Tide will be back in action on Saturday when they host UL-Monroe. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45 PM on the SEC Network.