Tuscaloosa, Alabama – The University of Alabama has chosen Kalen DeBoer, the former head coach of the Washington Huskies, as the successor to legendary coach Nick Saban. DeBoer, a relatively unknown coach from rural South Dakota, had quickly gained recognition in the college football world in the past 72 hours. According to sources, DeBoer informed his Washington staff on Friday that he had accepted Alabama’s offer. News of his hire was officially announced by Alabama in the evening.
In a statement released by the university, DeBoer expressed his admiration for Saban and his excitement for the opportunity to lead the football program at the University of Alabama. DeBoer’s success at Washington, where he led the Huskies to a 25-3 record in two seasons, caught the attention of Alabama’s athletic director, Greg Byrne.
Despite the pool of candidates initially including trusted former assistants of Saban, such as Steve Sarkisian from Texas and Dan Lanning from Oregon, DeBoer emerged as the top choice after a swift selection process. His success in turning around the Washington program after a 4-8 season in 2021 impressed Byrne.
DeBoer’s offensive prowess was a major factor in his hiring. At Washington, he developed an electrifying offense that was ranked first in passing and twelfth overall in total offense in 2023. This was in stark contrast to Alabama’s offense, which struggled and ranked 68th in passing and 56th in total offense.
One of DeBoer’s key responsibilities at Alabama will be recruiting and retaining talented players. This is especially crucial given the recent departure of wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who entered the transfer portal following Saban’s retirement announcement. Assembling a strong coaching staff will also be a priority for DeBoer.
As for Washington, the team will undergo significant changes under a new head coach. The departure of key players, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Rome Odunze, will require a rebuilding effort. The search for a new head coach will be led by Washington’s athletic director, Troy Dannen, who arrived at the university in October.
DeBoer’s impressive track record against ranked opponents and his ability to adapt his offensive system to fit his team’s strengths make him ideally suited to take on the challenge of leading the Alabama football program. Only time will tell if he can meet the high expectations set by his predecessor.