Reaction to Kalen DeBoer, new Alabama coach: Here’s what Finebaum, others are saying

New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer arrives at Tuscaloosa airport to Tide fans

There’s no question Kalen DeBoer is a winner. It was reported Friday he has been named Alabama’s new football coach to replace retiring Nick Saban.

The news has been met with mostly positive reaction and one major question, as SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum told AL.com as news of the hire broke.

“Excellent reputation and pedigree,” Finebaum told AL.com. “He did a phenomenal job this season.

“But to win in the SEC at this level – you have to win in recruiting the best players in the country. Can he do that against Kirby Smart, Hugh Freeze, Brian Kelly and Steve Sarkisian? I have no idea.”

Check out the reaction to the coach, who won 11 or more games in seven of his nine seasons as a head coach.

DeBoer owes Washington a $12 million buyout if he leaves. He signed a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season in November.

DeBoer had emerged among the Tide’s targets along with Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Florida State’s Mike Norvell and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, who all withdrew from the search or confirmed their commitments to their schools.

DeBoer and Washington are coming off a 12-0 regular season and Pac-12 Championship. They reached the CFP for the second time in school history, beating Texas 37-31 in a CFP semifinal in the Sugar Bowl before falling to No. 1 Michigan 34-13 in the national title game.