Alabama announced on Friday night that Kalen DeBoer, a Washington native who led the Huskies to a Pac-12 title and a position in the College Football Playoff National Championship game last season, will take over as head coach.
As Nick Saban’s replacement, DeBoer, 49, takes on one of the most desired and challenging positions in college football. Over his 17 seasons at the school, Saban’s teams won nine SEC crowns and six national championships. With 206-29 record at Alabama, Saban announced his retirement on Wednesday.In a statement made public by the university, DeBoer stated, “I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence.” “This program has an unrivaled tradition-rich history in collegiate athletics, and I look forward to carrying that heritage forward in the future. Following Coach Saban is an honor. He has set the bar for college football, and his accomplishments are unheard of. I would not have gone to any old school in Washington. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to oversee the University of Alabama football program We consider ourselves really fortunate, and my family and I are eager to settle into the Tuscaloosa neighborhood.”
According to sources who previously told ESPN, DeBoer told his players and staff on Friday afternoon that coach was leaving for Alabama. coach will meet his new squad on Friday night at 10 ET. In Tuscaloosa, a press conference introducing DeBoer is planned for this Saturday at 2:00 PM ET.According to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Troy Dannen, the athletic director at Washington, made a strong push to retain DeBoer by offering a new deal that would have more than doubled his current yearly pay of $4.2 million and placed him among the top 10 paid coaches in the FBS.
However, DeBoer declined it for Alabama and the SEC, so after agreeing to a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season in November, he will be obligated to pay Washington a $12 million buyout.Even before three other potential candidates, Dan Lanning of Oregon, Mike Norvell of Florida State, and Steve Sarkisian of Texas, withdrew from consideration and reaffirmed their commitments to their present institutions during the previous two days, DeBoer had been the Crimson Tide’s primary target.
