SEATTLE — It's official -- Kalen DeBoer is the next head football coach at the University of Alabama, replacing legendary coach Nick Saban, who retired just days ago.
Alabama announced the news via Twitter/X, posting, "welcome coach @KalenDeBoer." News of the move was first reported by ESPN.
DeBoer, 49, led the Huskies to a Pac-12 championship and the College Football Playoff National Championship this past season, with the team's only loss coming to Michigan in the final game.
DeBoer was hired in November 2021 to coach at Washington. A year later, Washington signed DeBoer to a contract extension worth up to $28.7 million through the 2028 season, giving him a $1 million raise for 2023, a $100,000 raise each season and three potential retention bonuses.
Alabama will spend $12 million to get DeBoer out of his contract with UW. The Tide will likely spend another $11 million per season to have DeBoer lead its storied football program.
UW Athletic Director Troy Dannen shared a statement on the athletic department website on Friday just before 5:30 p.m. that read, in part:
"Kalen DeBoer has been an outstanding leader of our football program and what he accomplished in two seasons on Montlake will forever be a part of our storied history. We are sad to see him leave and we did all that we could to keep Kalen at UW. But ultimately, he made a decision that was in the best interests of his family and furthered his professional goals. We thank Kalen for his service to Washington and wish him, Nicole, Alexis and Avery the very best in their new endeavor."
Earlier on Friday, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne tweeted, "The plane has left Seattle," alluding to the news but not confirming it. DeBoer spoke at a press conference on Saturday morning in Alabama as an introduction to the Tide.
Saban retired on Wednesday following a 17-year career that included six national championships, nine SEC titles and an overall record of 206-29.
ESPN reports that Washington fought to keep DeBoer, offering him a deal that would have made him one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in the FBS. Citing an anonymous source, the Associated Press said Washington pitched a seven-year deal worth more than $9.4 annually, on average.
During a Washington team meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, a source told the AP that DeBoer broke the news to his team. KING 5 Sports reporter Chris Egan said not all the players were in attendance.
Earlier in the day, DeBoer also failed to make a local in-studio radio appearance on KJR-FM, which is the school's flagship station, according to a station announcement.
Last year, DeBoer hired agent Jimmy Sexton, who also represents Saban, AP said. In 2022, Saban signed an eight-year deal worth more than $93 million, including some $11.1 million this season.
In just two seasons, DeBoer has engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent memory across college football. UW went 4-8 in 2021, firing head coach Jimmy Lake just nine games into the season.
DeBoer led the Huskies to 10 wins in his first season in 2022, culminating with an Alamo Bowl victory over Texas, the same team UW then beat the following year in the College Football Playoff.
In year two, Washington was a runner-up to the national championship with its only loss coming in the final game. DeBoer, who came into Washington relatively unknown, led the team to a 24-3 record in two seasons and has been mentioned as a possible replacement for a number of openings in the week since.
In a November 2023 press conference, DeBoer confirmed that he was again in extension talks with UW Athletic Director Troy Dannen, who took over for Jen Cohen this fall. Dannen told the Associated Press that he first approached DeBoer about a new contract in October, soon after he started.
Whoever steps into DeBoer's role at UW could have a challenge coming next season, when many of the team's key contributors are expected to head to the NFL. The Huskies have already added some strong commitments from high school recruits and the transfer portal, but UW is entering a fiercely competitive Big Ten Conference that will present quite a few new challenges.
Husky nation fans were disappointed and shocked at the news of Kalen Debour’s departure. Purple and gold run deep for the Erickson family, centering their Saturdays around UW football.
“We've been a family that has just enjoyed Husky football for years. The joke is that if my wife can find an away Husky game, we're taking a vacation,” said Barry Erickson.
The news broke days after the family returned from watching the National Championship game in Houston.
“Of course, mad disappointment. He’s only been here two years, we gave him a tremendous opportunity, and I think a lot of fans feel like maybe he owed us a few more years,” Erickson said.
For Erickson, loyalty to the Husky nation doesn’t waiver.
“I like Husky football. I'm not here for one coach or one player. I hope a lot of Husky fans feel that way and I think they do,” Erikson said.