ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith called for Alabama to fire head football coach Kalen DeBoer following the coach's remarks at SEC Media Day.

The criticism comes at a volatile time for the Alabama program as it navigates high expectations in the SEC. Smith's public demand for a coaching change puts immediate pressure on the university's leadership despite the team's recent postseason history.

Speaking from the First Take studio, Smith said DeBoer is not the right leader for the program. He based his assessment on comments DeBoer made during the media event in Birmingham, Alabama. Smith said the university should "give him the money to just go away" [1].

Smith said DeBoer should be fired before the 2026 season [2]. He suggested that the program could achieve better results with a different leader at the helm.

Not everyone in the sports media landscape agreed with the assessment. SEC Network's Peter Burns said, "I stand by Kalen DeBoer" [3].

The debate occurs despite the fact that Alabama made the College Football Playoff in 2025 [4]. This milestone suggests a level of competitive success that contradicts Smith's view that the coach is not the right fit for the program's standards.

DeBoer's tenure has been marked by the challenge of maintaining a legacy of dominance in college football. Smith's comments focus on the perceived lack of leadership quality revealed during the coach's public interactions this week.

“"Give him the money to just go away."”

This public clash highlights the intense scrutiny facing coaches at elite programs like Alabama, where postseason appearances are often viewed as the minimum requirement. By calling for a firing before the season even begins, Smith is framing DeBoer's public persona and communication style as a liability that outweighs his tactical success on the field.