Goodman: Kalen DeBoer’s Christmas miracle has ignited my faith.
This is an opinion piece.
Deck the halls, because Lotzeir Brooks caught two touchdown passes!
Alabama's stunning comeback against Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff illuminated the remarkable performance of their freshman receiver from New Jersey. Brooks played a pivotal role in saving Alabama with his thrilling plays, positioning himself as one of the nation's top young talents as the team heads into the Rose Bowl.
Interestingly, Brooks had his breakout game after his position coach departed from the Crimson Tide to take on the head coaching position at Oregon State. This situation leads us to ponder something important.
Perhaps we have not fully acknowledged the contributions of Alabama's head coach.
It may very well be time to take a fresh perspective on Kalen DeBoer as we look ahead to 2026.
This column serves as a New Year’s resolution for the evolution of DeBoer.
In 2025, we were quite critical of DeBoer, particularly following that significant loss to Florida State at the start of the season (https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2025/08/goodman-get-it-over-with-and-fire-kalen-deboer.html). I subsequently highlighted Alabama’s lack of resilience against Georgia, which did not go unnoticed by former Tide coach Nick Saban (https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2025/12/goodman-the-unimaginable-is-a-reality-for-kalen-deboers-alabama.html), who reinforced my observations.
Let’s be honest; many of you probably thought Alabama stood no chance against Oklahoma after they fell behind 17-0 in the first half.
But Brooks remained optimistic and positioned himself to make a difference.
Anyone familiar with football understands that a performance like Brooks’ two-touchdown outing is not merely coincidental.
Brooks made a spectacular catch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMacmgourms) that completed Alabama’s comeback, but we should also credit DeBoer for Brooks’ emergence as a star. After all, it was DeBoer who worked closely with Brooks and the other receivers during the crucial two weeks leading up to the playoff opener.
Former Alabama receivers coach JaMarcus Shepherd was appointed as head coach at Oregon State just a day before the Iron Bowl, leaving Alabama in a tight spot. Shepherd did coach the game against Auburn, but Alabama subsequently hired Derrick Nix, who previously coached receivers at Auburn, to fill the role.
In this challenging situation, DeBoer stepped in to assist with Shepherd’s responsibilities prior to the playoff’s first round. Initially, I believed losing Shepherd would disadvantage Alabama against Oklahoma. Clearly, I was mistaken. DeBoer’s involvement actually provided Alabama with a competitive edge.
It appears DeBoer demonstrates considerable toughness as well.
"He’s probably the toughest on us, if anything," remarked receiver Germie Bernard a few weeks ago.
At that moment, skepticism about DeBoer’s capabilities vanished for me.
DeBoer achieved what can only be described as a Christmas miracle, and now Alabama is vying for glory in the Rose Bowl. You might find this amusing, but Saban never managed to win a first-round playoff game on the road at night after trailing by 17 points.
Can DeBoer leverage this success as Alabama prepares for their quarterfinal clash with Indiana?
Following the victory over Oklahoma, DeBoer acknowledged Alabama’s resilience, stating that successful teams continually improve through the playoffs. For Alabama to triumph in the Rose Bowl, it will likely require another outstanding performance from one of their receivers.
As underdogs facing Indiana in their New Year’s Day bowl game, Alabama currently sits at odds of 6.5 points behind the Hoosiers (11-3). Indiana, boasting an undefeated record of 13-0, features the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.
Wait a minute. Does this scenario sound familiar?
The Rose Bowl certainly evokes memories of the 2009 SEC championship game.
Back then, Florida was ranked No. 1 in the nation, and a player named Tim Tebow held the title of the best in college football. We all know how that turned out. Alabama dethroned the reigning national champions, leaving Tebow in tears.
That moment defined Saban’s legacy. Alabama was a 4.5-point underdog, yet the landscape of college football changed forever after Alabama triumphed over the top-ranked Gators with a score of 32-13.
Coincidentally, Alabama went on to secure victory in the Rose Bowl.
I am no longer doubting DeBoer. The past is behind us; in 2026, my perspective will be more optimistic.
For a considerable time, it seemed that DeBoer deliberately avoided making any impactful or insightful comments. However, he broke that pattern recently when discussing the upcoming Rose Bowl, offering a glimpse into his strategic mind.
According to DeBoer, the secret to winning playoff games lies in "playing fast during critical moments."
Saban had a powerful backfield featuring Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Roy Upchurch in the 2010 Rose Bowl against Texas, a trio famously referred to as 'Murderball.'
In contrast, DeBoer’s approach is akin to 'Speedball,' and he has Brooks, Bernard, and Isaiah Horton at his disposal. Can Indiana’s defenders truly keep pace with these speedy players?
And let’s not forget about Ryan Williams, who could also make a significant impact.
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