How many teams does Kalen DeBoer want in the CFP? ‘Not about a number’
Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer spoke about College Football Playoff expansion at the SEC spring meetings this week.
Olivia Bennett 
As the conversation regarding College Football Playoff expansion heats up, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is keeping his focus where it matters most: the field. While the 2026 postseason format is locked in at 12 teams, the road ahead remains a subject of intense debate across the landscape of college football.
Expansion Talk Heats Up
While conferences like the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC have openly advocated for pushing the bracket to 24 teams, the SEC has taken a more measured approach. Coaches gathered at the SEC spring meetings this week to discuss the future of the postseason, though a final decision is not expected immediately.
DeBoer’s Philosophy
When asked for his thoughts on the various expansion models currently being discussed—ranging from 12 to 24 teams—DeBoer offered a pragmatic perspective. "I’ve heard the arguments from obviously 12. I know 12, 16, and 24 seem to be the most popular, right? So I can make an argument for all of them," DeBoer noted. "I know for me, it’s really not about a number. It’s about just trying to win every football game, so you don’t have to put it in a committee’s hands, and that’s our goal as a program at Alabama."
Proven Success
DeBoer brings a wealth of recent postseason experience to Tuscaloosa. Having led Washington to a national championship appearance in 2023, he understands the grind required to compete at the highest level. During his tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide are coming off a playoff run that included a pivotal road victory over Oklahoma before a tough Rose Bowl loss to the eventual national champion, Indiana.
The Road Ahead
Despite the chatter surrounding future structures, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was quick to manage expectations regarding any immediate changes. "I do not anticipate any decisions on the College Football Playoff, just so you’re clear," Sankey said Monday. "So, we can tamp that down. We have time. We’ll have informed discussion." For 205focus.com readers, that means for now, the focus remains on the current 12-team landscape as programs prepare for the upcoming campaign.
