Mark Schlabach
Multiple Authors
Alabama has reached a new seven-year contract with football coach Kalen DeBoer that will pay him $12.5 million per season, the university announced Wednesday.
The new agreement, which was approved by the University of Alabama System’s Compensation Committee during a virtual meeting Wednesday, extended DeBoer’s contract by two years and expires on Jan. 31, 2033.
The new agreement includes a buyout of $10 million through Jan. 31, 2027, and it decreases by $2 million after each of the next two years.
DeBoer, who has a 20-8 record in two seasons at Alabama, was linked to job openings at Michigan and Penn State this past offseason, although he didn’t interview with either school.
“We are excited about the opportunity to continue our time in Tuscaloosa with this contract extension,” DeBoer said in a statement. “This university has become a special place to us, and I look forward to working to ensure that Alabama football remains at the forefront of college football.
“This program has a long history of success and an unmatched tradition that I was eager to be a part of two years ago, and I cannot wait to keep coaching our guys and bring more championships to Alabama.”
DeBoer, 51, took on the unenviable challenge of replacing former coach Nick Saban, who retired in January 2024 after guiding Alabama to six national championships.
DeBoer led Washington to a 14-1 record during the 2023 season, including a 34-13 loss to Michigan in the CFP National Championship.
His teams have won 20 games against ranked opponents since 2021, the second-best record among active FBS head coaches. Alabama went 8-4 against AP top-25 teams in the past two seasons.
This past season, Alabama finished 11-4 and reached the College Football Playoff. The Tide defeated Oklahoma 34-24 on the road in the first round, then lost 38-3 to eventual national champion Indiana in a quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl presented by Prudential.
“We are pleased to extend Coach DeBoer and are proud to have him leading the Crimson Tide football program,” Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said in a statement. “He is an excellent coach and has done a commendable job developing our student-athletes.”
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