Alabama Football in 2025: Focused on the Process, Not Revenge
August 5, 2025 – Tuscaloosa, AL
As the 2025 college football season approaches, the Alabama Crimson Tide are facing the year with a clear message — this isn’t about revenge, it’s about the process.
After a rollercoaster 2024 campaign that ended in heartbreak with a College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Michigan, Alabama fans and pundits alike have circled 2025 as a “revenge tour.” But inside the walls of the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility, revenge is not the word being used. Instead, head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff are instilling a mindset that’s long defined the program under Nick Saban and now being adapted to DeBoer’s leadership — a relentless commitment to “The Process.”
“We’re not focused on who we play or what happened last year,” DeBoer told reporters during SEC Media Days. “We’re focused on who we are, what we do every single day, and how we can become the best version of this Alabama football team.”
A New Era, Same Championship Standards
The 2025 season marks DeBoer’s second year at the helm in Tuscaloosa, following the legendary retirement of Nick Saban. Despite immense pressure, DeBoer guided the Tide to an impressive 12–2 record and a playoff berth, silencing many doubters. Still, in Alabama’s world, anything short of a national title is seen as unfinished business.
Yet, DeBoer has made it clear that seeking redemption — for the Michigan loss, for the doubters, for anything external — is not the driving force in the locker room.
“If we spend all our energy trying to get ‘revenge’ on what happened before, we’ll miss the chance to improve today,” DeBoer emphasized. “That’s not who we are.”
This tone mirrors the foundational mindset that propelled Alabama to six national titles under Saban — a methodical, day-by-day dedication to excellence, regardless of outside narratives.
Players Buying In
Alabama players have echoed DeBoer’s message throughout the offseason. Junior quarterback Jalen Milroe, who returned for another year after a strong 2024 season, has become one of the locker room’s most vocal leaders.
“We’re focused on dominating every rep, every meeting, every lift — not just the games,” Milroe said during summer workouts. “Coach DeBoer keeps saying, ‘Don’t chase outcomes, chase improvement,’ and that’s what we’re doing.”
Milroe, who accounted for over 3,600 total yards and 32 touchdowns last season, has made notable strides in his pocket presence and decision-making this spring. But more importantly, he’s embraced the leadership role left behind by NFL-bound stars like Kool-Aid McKinstry and Dallas Turner.
“This team has a chip on its shoulder, for sure,” said linebacker Deontae Lawson. “But it’s not about getting even with anyone. It’s about proving to ourselves how great we can be.”
Rebuilding and Reloading
As always, Alabama enters the season with high expectations and elite talent, despite losing key contributors to the NFL Draft. The Tide brought in the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, loaded with five-star prospects, including defensive lineman Elijah Griffin and cornerback Zabien Brown.
In addition, the transfer portal has been kind to Alabama. The Tide secured commitments from multiple impact players, including former Oregon wideout Troy Franklin, who’s expected to be a primary target for Milroe, and ex-Washington offensive lineman Parker Brailsford, who brings instant experience and toughness to the front line.
DeBoer, who built his reputation on high-powered offenses at Washington and Fresno State, is quietly crafting a roster that blends SEC physicality with West Coast explosiveness — and doing so while avoiding the “revenge” trap.
“Our focus is internal,” said offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. “We don’t need motivation from opponents or rankings. The standard here speaks for itself.”
Eyes on the SEC Gauntlet
Alabama’s 2025 schedule is a brutal one — including road trips to Georgia and LSU, a non-conference showdown with Florida State, and the always-intense Iron Bowl against Auburn. The new SEC structure, following Texas and Oklahoma’s addition, has also increased the competitive pressure.
But for Alabama, every week is treated the same.
“Every game’s a big game. Every practice is a big practice,” said defensive tackle Tim Keenan III. “That’s the mindset we have to carry. That’s how you build champions.”
And it’s that internal consistency — not emotional reactions — that the team believes will carry them through.
The Legacy and the Future
DeBoer is the first coach since Saban to lead Alabama, and while the comparisons are inevitable, he’s begun crafting a culture that reflects both continuity and innovation. His respect for Saban’s legacy is evident, but so is his desire to forge his own path.
“Coach Saban built something unmatched here,” DeBoer said. “It’s my job to honor that by continuing to uphold the standard and evolve with today’s game.”
For Alabama, the past is a source of pride, not pressure. And while fans may still crave payback for missed trophies or close defeats, the players and coaches are focused on something more powerful: being better today than they were yesterday.
Final Word
As the Crimson Tide prepare to open the 2025 season, one thing is clear — this team is not fueled by revenge.
They’re fueled by discipline, development, and the process. And if history has taught us anything, that mindset — more than any grudge — is what produces championships in Tuscaloosa.
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