Legend of Kalen DeBoer’s ‘Black Hoodie of Death’ grows after Alabama win

Ken Griffey Jr. had his backwards hat. Tiger Woods had his Sunday reds. And Kalen DeBoer has his black hoodie. 

The Alabama head coach’s signature look, a black Nike 2024 Sideline Dri-Fit sweatshirt with crimson trim, has taken the college football landscape by storm — and served as a frightening omen for opposing teams.

DeBoer’s “Black Hoodie of Death” claimed another victim on Saturday night, when the No. 6 Crimson Tide rolled to a 37-20 beatdown of No. 11 Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

Alabama (6-1, 1st SEC) boasts an exceptional 13-2 record when their head coach has sported the hoodie during the last two seasons, and the magical pullover has fueled a six-game winning streak.

DeBoer’s red polo stuck out like a sore thumb during the team’s season-opening dud against Florida State. He promptly swapped it back for the hoodie — and hasn’t looked back since.

“We’re going to ride the momentum,” said DeBoer, smirking as he described his one-item wardrobe after defeating the Volunteers.

As is tradition for the rivalry game between Alabama and Tennessee, the Crimson Tide celebrated their triumph with a fresh batch of cigars. 

DeBoer set his priorities straight before stepping in the locker room.

“I told the guys not to get any ashes on [the hoodie],” the second-year head coach joked with reporters after the game. 

DeBoer’s hoodie has become stuff of legend in Tuscaloosa, a historical artifact with a previously worn version on display at the program’s Bryant Museum.

Here’s the Kalen DeBoer black hoodie of death (to quote Eli Drinkwitz) on display at the Bryant Museum. It’s one he wore last season, and the Bryant Museum put it on display at the beginning of this season. pic.twitter.com/UYoBvQdIHL

— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) October 17, 2025

On Friday night, the viral hoodie sold out on the official Fanatics website.

DeBoer made an appearance on SEC Nation ahead of Saturday’s game, where he confirmed he’d be rocking the same, sought-after gameday attire against the Volunteers.

The announcement sent the Crimson Tide faithful into absolute bedlam.

That black Nike hoodie has indirectly powered one of the most dominant stretches in coaching history. With the win over Tennessee, DeBoer is 19-3 (.864) against AP-ranked squads in his head-coaching career — the best record against top 25 teams of all time.

Alabama will next take a trip to South Carolina for a meeting with the Gamecocks (3-4, 12th SEC) on Oct. 25.

It’s a safe bet to assume what DeBoer’s packing in his suitcase.