When Stephen A. Smith speaks, sports fans listen. This week on First Take, the outspoken ESPN personality didn’t just stir the pot, he dumped it out. Smith made waves by suggesting that Alabama, fresh off a disappointing 9-4 season under Kalen DeBoer, should think about handing the reins to Deion Sanders. For Smith, the question isn’t if Sanders could handle the SEC spotlight, but whether Alabama has the courage to make such a bold move.
Smith didn’t mince words when comparing Sanders’ energy to Alabama’s current direction. “Just imagine if he was in Tuscaloosa,” Smith said. “What if, instead of DeBoer, it was him coaching Alabama?” His take has fans buzzing because it touches on three key truths that college football can’t ignore.
Alabama Is Still Searching for Its Identity Post-Saban
Nick Saban built Alabama into the nation’s gold standard. But with Saban gone, Smith sees cracks. He argued DeBoer’s first year looked “considerably softer” than Tide teams of the past. Alabama’s 9-4 record, including losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, proved his point. For a fan base used to dominance, that’s not acceptable.
“You can’t have somebody that brings a finesse-style of game to Alabama,” Smith said. “That’s meat and potatoes, y’all.”
Sanders Has Already Proven He Can Revive Programs
Smith pointed to Sanders’ impact at Colorado. “This was a moribund program until he arrived,” he said. Colorado’s nine wins in 2024 marked its best finish since 2016, all while Sanders energized the fan base and drew top recruits. If he could flip Boulder that fast, imagine what he could do with Alabama’s resources.
The SEC Stage Fits Sanders’ Personality
Smith stressed that Sanders’ recruiting power and star presence align with the SEC’s culture. “What if it was him coaching at Texas A&M? What if he was coaching some place like Florida?” Smith asked, before circling back to Tuscaloosa. The SEC thrives on swagger, and “Prime Time” brings exactly that.
Smith’s conclusion was blunt: “I wouldn’t mind at all if Alabama changed course and brought somebody like Prime Time to Alabama. That would have been spectacular. I think it’s something they should still consider down the line if this season is a repeat of last season.”
Whether Tide fans agree or not, the debate is alive. Alabama must decide if DeBoer can deliver championships, or if Sanders represents the kind of bold hire that could keep them on top.
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