LockedOn Ole Miss host, Steven Willis made some comments on a recent episode that may leave Alabama fans up in arms comparing new Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer to former head coach Ray Perkins.
Time will have to tell if the comment is right or wrong, but Willis could be seen as validated in his points depending on what side of the argument you are on despite DeBoer's overall record of 104-12 as a head coach.
Ray Perkins’ tenure as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide
Ray Perkins' record: Perkins is viewed by many as one of the worst Alabama coaches of all-time since the Tide joined the SEC. Although by record, Perkins went 32-15-1, that is far short of standards set by the Tide faithful. And the other issue was he followed Alabama’s first legendary head coach in Bear Bryant.
Bear Bryant-Ray Perkins comparison: Bryant spent 25 years at Alabama with an overall record of 232-46-9 and a winning percentage of 82%. Perkin’s only lasted four seasons in Tuscaloosa and managed a winning percentage of only 67%. This significant drop off eludes to the type of drop off Willis concerned about for the Tide under DeBoer.
Perkins coached the Tide from 1983-1986. His second season at the school was 5-6 which had Tide fans on alert considering Bryant did not have one losing season at the school and won four National Championships.
Perkins desserts the Tide: Although Perkins’ records in his final two years were 9-2 and 10-3 respectively, his exit to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after feeling pressure from boosters and alumni did not leave the program in the best place. It is inarguable that he left it in a worse place than what he inherited just four years prior.
All of these happenings make the comparison by Willis something that Tide fans should hope does not repeat itself with DeBoer who takes over a program from Nick Saban that won six National Championships in his 17 years at the school.
Similarities between Ray Perkins and Kalen DeBoer
Willis is very connected in the college football world and senses some unhappiness around the relationship with boosters and DeBoer. “I’ve talked to two different sources on this. Nick Saban was extremely locked down and regimented…it was set up to where if a coach wanted to come in and bring his kid to campus, Alabama bent over backwards,” Willis said.
“This new staff is not doing that. They’re almost doing the opposite. To where the boosters now have access to the practice field and its harder for high school coaches to get their players onto campus. And its starting to tick some people off in that state ."
In Willis’ opinion, this makes it extremely important for things to stay on track in year one. It going any other way considering DeBoer’s plan of attack around recruiting and collaborating with coaches within the state and boosters, things could turn quickly for the Tide. And we all know recruiting matters in college football.
During Saban’s tenure, the Crimson Tide were able to stay as one of the top recruiting classes year over year due to on field success. Considering DeBoer’s different approach, if the Tide do not win early and often, the comparison to Perkins could make a lot of sense really quickly.