The newly appointed head coach at Alabama, Kalen DeBoer, recently led Washington to a Pac-12 championship and a place in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. The school officially announced this news on Friday night.
Kalen DeBoer, aged 49, is stepping into a significant role as the new head coach at Alabama, succeeding Nick Saban, who led the team for 17 seasons, clinched nine SEC titles and six national championships. He retired on Wednesday, leaving behind an impressive record of 206 wins and 29 losses at Alabama.
“I have deep respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence,” said DeBoer in a statement released by the school. “The rich history of this program is unmatched, and I am eager to contribute to its legacy. Following in Coach Saban’s footsteps is a great honor. His success in college football is unparalleled. I wouldn’t have left Washington for any ordinary school. Leading the football program at The University of Alabama is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My family and I feel incredibly fortunate and look forward to becoming part of the Tuscaloosa community.”
DeBoer informed his Washington players and staff on Friday afternoon about his move to Alabama. He arrived in Tuscaloosa by plane on Friday night to meet his new players. A news conference to introduce DeBoer is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Washington’s athletic director, Troy Dannen, made a strong effort to keep DeBoer by proposing a new contract that would have elevated him among the top 10 highest-paid coaches in FBS, more than doubling his yearly salary of $4.2 million.
Despite the enticing offer, DeBoer opted for Alabama and the SEC, leading to him owing Washington a $12 million buyout. This decision followed his earlier commitment to Washington through a two-year contract extension signed in November, extending until the 2028 season.
Even before other potential candidates—Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Florida State’s Mike Norvell, and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian—pulled out from the search and reaffirmed their commitments to their current schools in the last two days, DeBoer had already become the top choice for the Crimson Tide.
“Coach DeBoer is a proven winner and has excelled at every coaching stop,” stated Alabama’s athletic director, Greg Byrne. “I’ve told our team that we’re bringing in a coach who not only understands the game but also genuinely cares about his players. He’s someone I’d trust my own sons to play for, much like Coach Saban. We’ve found that in Coach DeBoer. He’s eager to begin, and we’re thrilled about him leading the Alabama Crimson Tide football program for the foreseeable future.”
Washington enlisted Coach DeBoer to uplift their football program after a challenging 4-8 season under Coach Jimmy Lake in 2021. With the assistance of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., a transfer from Indiana, the team experienced a significant improvement, achieving a commendable 11-2 record in the 2022 season.
In the most recent season, Washington had an undefeated run of 12-0 in the regular season. They secured a notable victory against rival Oregon, prevailing with a 34-31 win in the Pac-12 championship game, earning them a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the second time in the school’s history. Continuing their success, the Huskies triumphed over Texas 37-31 in the CFP semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Washington faced a tough loss against Michigan in the CFP National Championship, with a score of 34-13.
Coach Kalen DeBoer made the decision to leave Washington for Alabama. The athletic director, Dannen, mentioned they tried hard to keep him, but DeBoer chose Alabama for family and career reasons.
DeBoer’s coaching journey has been remarkable. Starting as a great player in college, he became a successful coach at the University of Sioux Falls, winning three national championships. After coaching at various universities, he led Fresno State to a 9-3 record in his second season, defeating some strong teams. Now, he’s taking on a significant role at Alabama.