Desmond Howard Predicts Struggle For First-Year Head Coach In 2024

The Washington Huskies, Arizona Wildcats, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Alabama Crimson Tide all have new head coaches in 2024. Washington hired former Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch, Arizona hired former San Jose State Spartans head coach Brent Brennan, Mississippi State brought on former Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, and Alabama hired Kalen DeBoer.

While it is exciting for the programs with their new head coaches, Desmond Howard highlighted a program he thought could experience some growing pains with its first-year head coach.

Howard appeared on a recent edition of " First Take " and thought Alabama might struggle under DeBoer. DeBoer led Washington to the College Football Playoff and lost to the Michigan Wolverines in the national championship. It was the Huskies' first time playing for a national title since 1991.

Howard thought the move from the Pac-12 to the SEC would be difficult for DeBoer.

“The fact of the matter is Kalen DeBoer is a hell of a coach, fantastic coach, but this is uncharted waters, even for him,” Desmond Howard said. “Now, going into the SEC, he’s going to have to get his guys up every single week with challenges that he’s never had to face at any level in which he’s coached, even when he was out there in the Pac-12.”

Now that DeBoer is no longer in the Pac-12, he will have to deal with the grind of an SEC schedule. Howard pointed to how challenging road games can be in the SEC.

“It’s just a rough road every week, no matter who the opponent is,” Howard said. “Because don’t forget, now you have that bullseye on your back. Because you’re still Alabama. You’re going to get everyone’s best shot. But they also think now they have a chance, they have a shot, because Nick Saban isn’t the head coach anymore. And this is our opportunity to knock off Alabama.”

While DeBoer is in uncharted waters, Alabama has a lot of top, returning talent in 2024. Quarterback Jalen Milroe, linebacker Deontae Lawson, cornerback Malachi Moore, and defensive lineman Jaheim Oatis are all back this season.

Alabama also added players like former Texas A&M defensive lineman LT Overton, former USC Trojans cornerback Domani Jackson, and former Washington offensive lineman Parker Brailsford. Kadyn Proctor left for the Iowa Hawkeyes after starting at left tackle in 2023 but transferred back to Alabama this offseason.

Alabama opens the 2024 season against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Aug. 31.

Related: Desmond Howard's Surprising Pick To Win College Football National Championship