Kalen DeBoer sets the record straight on why major change was made for Crimson Tide this offseason
Kalen DeBoer explains why Alabama made a coaching change on the offensive line, and why it’s a focal point this offseason.
The Alabama Crimson Tide season didn’t meet expectations for the team or the fans, and changes had to be made this offseason.
Of course, the transfer portal opened right after Alabama’s season ended, and it had to revamp the front five with all new additions and key departures. It didn’t stop there, however, as head coach Kalen DeBoer had to make a tough decision with the coaching staff as well. After two seasons with the Crimson Tide, DeBoer decided to move on from offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and go in another direction to upgrade.
Kalen DeBoer explains decision to move on from OL coach Chris Kapilovic
Alabama’s offensive line was a disappointment at many times last season in both pass protection and in the running game, and a change had to happen up front. The Crimson Tide also lost multiple starters and depth guys in the transfer portal, so there will be many new players up front, and the team can’t afford a rough start to the season with a new quarterback as well.
DeBoer was at the 2026 Senior Bowl watching several Crimson Tide players heading to the NFL Draft, and he spoke about the decision to move on from Kapilovic and why it had to happen.
“Yeah, I think it’s about production,” DeBoer said. “We know we’ve got to be better there, you know, mindset and just execution, the details of the fundamentals that guys need. So a lot of new faces that are gonna be in that room, so kind of a fresh start there.”
DeBoer also went on to speak on how the offensive line is the most important focal point this offseason, and hopefully settled the nerves of Crimson Tide fans.
“I mean, that’s definitely going to be a position group that’s going to generate a lot of our attention,” DeBoer added. “Whether it’s mine, whether it’s Ryan Grubbs, just the coaching staff in general that work with the offensive line. We all know we’ve got to help our coaches learn the system quickly. But there’s enough continuity. Enough of us that you know can help these new guys come in and hit the ground running.”
Alabama hired Adrian Klemm as the new offensive line coach
With one departure, in comes a big addition, and that’s what Alabama is hoping for after it hired Adrian Klemm as the new offensive line coach.
Klemm has had a multitude of successes in college and the NFL as a player and a coach, and he’s bringing a strong pedigree to Alabama. He’s had a ton of success developing offensive linemen at Oregon and USC, and was also the New England Patriots’ offensive line coach in 2023, and actually interviewed for their offensive coordinator position as well.
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