Former head coach of the Washington Huskies, Kalen DeBoer, has been appointed as the new head coach at the University of Alabama. DeBoer will be taking over for the legendary coach Nick Saban, who has left big shoes to fill. In a statement, DeBoer expressed his respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence. He stated that following in Saban’s footsteps is an honor and that leading the football program at Alabama is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
DeBoer’s decision to take the Alabama job meant turning down a contract extension and a significant pay raise from Washington. This decision comes with a hefty price tag, as he will now owe Washington a $12 million buyout. However, DeBoer’s value was evident as he was Alabama’s top target for the coaching vacancy, with other potential candidates withdrawing their names from consideration.
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne spoke highly of DeBoer, praising his coaching ability and character. Byrne stated that DeBoer is a winner and truly cares about his players. This sentiment is backed up by DeBoer’s success at Washington, where he led the team to a Pac-12 championship and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance during the 2022 season.
DeBoer’s coaching career has been nothing short of impressive. He began at the University of Sioux Falls, where he won three NAIA national championships. From there, he moved on to become an offensive coordinator and eventually a head coach at Fresno State. This rapid rise in coaching has prepared him for the challenge that awaits him at Alabama.
DeBoer is scheduled to meet his new team on Friday night and will be officially introduced at a news conference on Saturday. This will mark the beginning of a new era for Alabama football as DeBoer takes the reins from the legendary Nick Saban. Alabama fans are eager to see what DeBoer will bring to the table and if he can continue the winning tradition that Saban established.
