Paul Finebaum made some major headlines all week long at SEC Media Days in Tampa as he always does, with hot takes flying like they’re going out of style, but his comments on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer are what drew the most attention.

Earlier in the week, Finebaum argued DeBoer has “made a mess” of the situation he inherited in Tuscaloosa from Nick Saban, and that while he may be a great coach, he is not the right coach to get the Crimson Tide back on top. By the end of the week and after DeBoer had taken the podium, the longtime SEC analyst doubled down and questioned his response when asked about his tenure at Alabama being evaluated on national titles.

DeBoer gave a typical coach speak answer about not being worried about legacy or how he is defined, but rather making the program the best it can be. Finebaum argued this was because DeBoer might not believe he can bring a title home during an appearance on “The Next Round.”

"He doesn't have to do anything crazy, but he does need to say we're going to win a national championship. Why can't he say that? Maybe because he doesn't believe it." – @finebaum on Kalen DeBoer's response when asked if his time at Alabama will be defined by winning a title https://t.co/WPdAgs0CdE pic.twitter.com/GehwnTH9xU

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) July 23, 2026

“It was a terrible answer,” Finebaum said when asked about that question specifically. “First of all, I don’t need Kalen DeBoer in front of a big room telling us for the 41,000th time ‘I knew what I was signing up for.’ Of course you did, you’re at Alabama, man…He doesn’t have to do anything crazy, but he does need to say we’re going to win a national championship. Why can’t he say that? Maybe because he doesn’t believe it.”

Finebaum argued that while talk is cheap, keeping donors and others motivated that the right man is in charge is critical in today’s era, something DeBoer has not done the best job of.

In fairness to Finebaum, DeBoer certainly is not lighting the world on fire in front of the microphone, but if he can get it done on the field, none of that will matter. The clock is starting to tick though, and nothing DeBoer said this week did anything to change the minds of those who do not believe.