Alabama football is at a crucial point in its first season under Kalen DeBoer.

The shocking loss to Vanderbilt could be just one bad night, or issues from that game could spill over into others. The decision rests with the Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1 SEC).

DeBoer was asked Monday what his message was to No. 7 Alabama after its first loss to UA as the team prepares to play South Carolina on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“Stay the course,” DeBoer said. “That is the message to the team. Well, stay the course, right, but it’s all about digesting what happened, having perspective and finding the answers for the guys. That’s what we need to make sure as coaches, so we understand what we can control, how we need to fix it, and just know that there will be different matchups in the next game that are our strengths. There will also be different matchups and ways an opponent attacks us. I’m not just talking offensively, but also defensively. We have to be ready.”

DeBoer said it’s important for any position group that has success to not “get comfortable,” but he doesn’t believe Alabama has done that.

“Because you’re the one who could have the difficult matchup next week,” DeBoer continued. “As a team, it depends. You have to keep working on your area, keep it within the team spirit, stay on track and just keep fighting, keep playing and stick together. That’s the biggest thing for me and I haven’t seen anything else here in the last 24, 48 hours.”

Nick Kelly is a beat writer from Alabama AL.com and Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X And Instagram.