One year into replacing college football’s most accomplished head coach, Kalen DeBoer led Alabama to a 9-4 record, missed out on the playoff, and lost to a subpar Michigan team in the bowl game.

Now he faces one major hurdle as he looks to rebound from that debut, according to an anonymous SEC football coach.

“The biggest question will be quarterback, obviously,” an SEC coach said to Athlon Sports.

“But they have a really solid offensive line, and the roster doesn’t have any obvious holes to fill. They’re going to compete for a playoff spot, for sure.”

They better, if DeBoer wants to avoid kicking off some early speculation about his job security, but how he and new co-offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb address the Jalen Milroe-sized hole in their offense will be critical.

Milroe’s departure leaves Alabama with a dilemma as to who will lead its offense, although former five-star prospect Ty Simpson emerged as the heir apparent this offseason, earning some high praise from Grubb, in particular.

Simpson would be the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback if they played a game today, Grubb revealed after spring football was complete.

Although he added: “It wasn’t perfect this spring, but I thought we were trending the right way the entire time.”

Simpson was a near-consensus five-star prospect in 2022, considered the No. 2 quarterback and No. 25 overall player, according to an average of the four national recruiting services.

The quarterback was also named the No. 2 player from the state of Tennessee.

But Simpson isn’t the only option Alabama has to look at. Austin Mack, a transfer from DeBoer’s program at Washington, and incoming five-star freshman Keelon Russell are also pushing for QB1 consideration.

Russell was the No. 2 overall prospect, second-ranked quarterback, and top player from the state of Texas, per an average of the national recruiting rankings.

For the moment, it seems Simpson has the seniority to occupy the top of Alabama’s leaderboard, but whoever takes the reins will be under enormous pressure.

Going 9-4 isn’t going to be tolerated at Alabama for very long.

“The expectations define this place,” another SEC coach said.

“I think you’ll see a competitive program that could end up in Atlanta and make the playoff, but this is a new era. Bama’s not a surefire lock every season.”

(Athlon)

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Kierston Russell, the twin sister of Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 18 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, per On3.

Details about Russell’s death were not immediately available, however, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, which investigates all deaths outside of a hospital setting in Tuscaloosa County, declined to comment, saying the matter was non-criminal, per Tide 100.9.

Keelon Russell confirmed the news after he reposted a message on his Instagram story that offered condolences. He responded with four emojis of hands held in a heart formation. The message read:

“My deepest condolences are with you guys dearly. Losing a twin sister and daughter is a pain that one could never imagine.”

Russell also posted a message to his Instagram story with a pair of hands making a heart. The message from Lovodges Heggins said, “Stay strong for mom. My prayers and Thoughts are with y’all.”

Less than a week ago, the Russell siblings celebrated their graduation from Duncanville High School in Texas, and danced on stage together when they walked across to receive their diplomas. She had joined her brother in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama after recently graduating.

Prior to walking graduating high school, Kierston played basketball for Duncanville. Her final post on Instagram was a picture of her in a Duncanville basketball jersey from 32 weeks ago with the caption “This year personal.”

After hearing the news, many Instagram users and followers of Kierston commented on that post to give their condolences, including Texas edge rusher and Keelon Russell’s high school teammate Colin Simmons.

Alabama baseball coach Rob Vaughn drew interest from jobs around the country, but he’ll be sticking around Tuscaloosa for the 2026 season. UA extended Vaughn’s contract, the Crimson Tide’s NIL collective announced Tuesday night.

Yea Alabama did not release details as to the contract’s length, or Vaughn’s compensation. He had initially signed a five-year deal in 2023 upon arrival in Tuscaloosa, a contract that would pay him $900,000 per year.

Kendall Rogers of D1 Baseball reported that Texas A&M “took a hard look” at Vaughn. The Aggies wound up retaining coach Michael Earley instead of making a change.

Vaughn took over an Alabama team that was reeling following Brad Bohannon’s gambling scandal and firing. He joined up from Maryland, and quickly found success with the Crimson Tide.

The 2025 Alabama squad finished the year 41-18. The Crimson Tide won one game in the SEC Tournament, but went 0-2 in the NCAA Tournament’s Hattiesburg Regional to end the year.

Alabama went 33-24 in Vaughn’s first season. The Tide also made the NCAA Tournament in 2024, though, like 2025, failed to win a tournament game.

Vaughn was named the Big Ten’s coach of the year for two consecutive seasons with Maryland before moving to Alabama. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State, where he played his college baseball.

Vaughn’s contract still needs to be approved by UA’s board of trustees. The board will meet in Tuscaloosa on Thursday and Friday.