Kalen DeBoer’s game day wardrobe may hold the key to Alabama’s quest for another national championship.
Alabama’s decisive 37-20 win over Tennessee on Saturday helped keep the Crimson Tide in the national title discussion. It also helped grow the legend of DeBoer’s now-iconic black hoodie, dubbed by many Alabama supporters as “The Black Hoodie of Death.”
DeBoer entered Saturday’s game with a 12-2 record when he has rocked the black hoodie in his two years as Alabama’s head coach. DeBoer’s record at Alabama is 1-3 when he doesn’t.
With Alabama's 37–20 win over No. 11 Tennessee, Kalen DeBoer's continues to stack up wins when wearing his black hoodie ‼️ pic.twitter.com/AST4NoFYGz
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) October 19, 2025
The hoodie became a talking point on Saturday morning when DeBoer appeared on the SEC Network’s pregame show, with Laura Rutledge getting the Alabama coach to confirm that he was putting one on against the Volunteers. Rutledge also revealed that the hoodie is now completely sold out online.
"Yea, there will be one on." 😂
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 18, 2025
Kalen Deboer and @AlabamaFTBL is 12-2 when he wears a black hoodie on the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/G37gG9Igu3
DeBoer was asked about the black hoodie and its mystical powers during his postgame press conference. While he downplayed its significance, he also shared that he reminded his players not to smoke their victory cigars, part of Alabama-Tennessee rivalry tradition, too close to his sacred hoodie.
“This isn’t new. I’ve done this for years,” said DeBoer. “But we’re going to ride the momentum. I told the guys not to get any ashes on it.”
Kalen DeBoer said Alabama football players better not “get any ashes” on his black hoodie after the Tennessee win.
— Colin Gay (@_ColinGay) October 19, 2025
@tuscaloosanews @TideSports pic.twitter.com/BtsD6yn9LU
Alabama has completely shaken off its season-opening loss against Florida State that had Crimson Tide fans flipping off the broadcast camera on national television. The team has ripped off six straight wins, including four consecutive victories against ranked opponents.
With DeBoer wearing his hoodie, they never stood a chance.
