Kalen DeBoer didn’t make known a preference for how many teams he wants in future College Football Playoff fields. He’s not worrying himself with that decision. Instead, the Alabama football coach is focusing on what it will take to get his team there.
DeBoer joined “The Will Cain Show” on FOX News on Wednesday and was asked for his thoughts on expanding the playoff again.
“I understand they’re meeting,” DeBoer said. “From my vantage point, there’s not much I’m in control of when it comes to that. I’m just disappointed we didn’t do what we needed to do to get in this last year. That’s what we’re focused on taking care of here in this offseason, is to make sure we do what we’re supposed to do to get in no matter how many teams are in it.”
Leaders for the SEC and Big Ten met this week in New Orleans to talk the future of the College Football Playoff, among other topics. There won’t be change to the number of teams for 2025 but it could expand to 14+ as soon as 2026.
DeBoer and Alabama missed out on the first 12-team playoff field in 2024, DeBoer’s first season with the program. The Crimson Tide finished 9-4, the first non-10 win season since 2007, what was Nick Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama hasn’t won a national championship since 2020, and DeBoer and company will look to change that as soon as possible, no matter the number of playoff spots.
“We need to be that championship program,” DeBoer said. “That means you have to prepare at a championship level. Again, everything we’re doing, and this is the time you build your team, is in the offseason. Really proud of the way our guys continue to take everything we’ve learned, continued to grow. We’re a year into it now, and it just feels completely different.”
