Charles Barkley Backs Kalen DeBoer: When Rivals Respect Greatness
It’s not every day that Charles Barkley—the irrepressible Auburn legend and proud Tiger through and through—has something good to say about the Alabama Crimson Tide. The rivalry between Auburn and Alabama is one of the fiercest in all of college sports, stretching across Iron Bowls, dinner tables, and generations. But sometimes, greatness forces even the most committed rivals to tip their hat. And in the case of Kalen DeBoer, Alabama’s new head football coach, even Charles Barkley is a believer.
“You gotta give credit where credit is due,” Barkley said in a recent interview. “I may bleed orange and blue, but I know a good coach when I see one. Kalen DeBoer is the real deal.”
That statement, coming from Barkley, sent shockwaves through the state. Barkley, known for his unfiltered opinions and deep loyalty to Auburn, doesn’t throw around praise for Alabama lightly. But DeBoer, who took over the storied Alabama program following Nick Saban’s retirement, has managed to win games—and respect—with remarkable speed and style.
DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa with the pressure of following the most successful coach in college football history. The expectations were monumental. Alabama fans were anxious. Rivals were hopeful for a decline. But what they got instead was a smooth transition, a calm confidence, and a football team that didn’t miss a step. DeBoer’s first season saw Alabama go toe-to-toe with elite programs, blending the grit of SEC football with his signature offensive precision.
Even Barkley, who has poked fun at Alabama for decades, has taken notice.
“What I like about DeBoer is that he doesn’t try to be Saban,” Barkley said on a Birmingham radio show. “He respects the tradition, but he’s building something new. You can see those kids love playing for him. That’s coaching.”
Interestingly, many Alabama fans don’t hold Barkley’s Auburn allegiance against him. In fact, he’s a bit of a fan favorite. His charisma, humor, and unapologetic honesty make him hard to dislike—even in enemy territory. Over the years, Barkley has made appearances at Alabama fundraisers, golf tournaments, and charity events, often poking fun at the rivalry but always showing up with a genuine spirit.
“He’s Auburn, but he’s Alabama in the way he carries himself—bold, competitive, and proud,” one Crimson Tide booster remarked.
The mutual respect between Barkley and the Alabama faithful only underscores how DeBoer has quickly earned a place of legitimacy. When a program legend from your most hated rival is publicly praising your head coach, you know something special is happening.
So while Barkley might still root for Auburn come Iron Bowl Saturday, his endorsement of DeBoer rings louder than a scoreboard. In Alabama, football is religion—and when a heretic like Barkley praises the new high priest in Tuscaloosa, it says more than any headline ever could.
Kalen DeBoer has won over fans, players, alumni—and perhaps the most unlikely of believers. Even Charles Barkley.
