‘Disgusted’ Stephen A. Smith: Kalen DeBoer wrong guy for Alabama

Stephen A. Smith said Monday during “First Take” he is disgusted with the Alabama Crimson Tide, two days after Kalen DeBoer’s team fell in Knoxville 24-17.

“It looks like they hired the wrong guy,” Smith said. “They should gone and got Dan Lanning from Oregon.”

Smith pointed to deficiencies in the defense, lack of accountability and more.

“It’s bad,” he added. “Not only do they have two losses in the last three weeks, they should’ve lost to South Carolina. They should’ve lost three straight. I’m very disgusted. …

“I don’t like what I’m seeing at Alabama right now.”

Lanning’s name connected to the Alabama opening after Nick Saban retired, but the Oregon coach shut down that talk in January.

“If you’re scared your coach is leaving then come play for us. The Ducks aren’t going anywhere and I’m not leaving,” Lanning said in a video he posted to his social media channels.

Lanning, who was a GA for Saban in 2015 and worked for Kirby Smart at Georgia, was a logical candidate. Lanning’s name had floated to the top of most sportsbooks accepting odds on the new hire.

The Crimson Tide hasn’t lost twice before the end of October since 2007, Saban’s first year. Trying to recover from that will be tough with No. 19 Missouri and No. 8 LSU on the schedule.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.