Alabama Coach Kalen DeBoer Is Worth The Massive Contract | Barrett Sallee

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer hasn’t coached a game for the Crimson Tide yet, but he’s already drawing one of the top salaries in college football. 

The school announced Monday that the first-year coach of the Tide has agreed to an 8-year contract worth $10 million in 2024. His base salary will increase annually and will be worth $11.75 million during the final year of the deal. 

"College athletics is under very unique changes," athletic director Greg Byrne said Monday (via: 247Sports). "We're adapting constantly right now. The University of Alabama certainly has been one of the leaders for college athletics and college football." 

DeBoer was announced as Alabama’s new head coach in January following the retirement of Nick Saban. DeBoer was 25-3 over the previous two seasons at Washington and led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff title game last game before falling to Michigan. That run included a win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl national semifinal and a Pac-12 Championship Game win over Oregon. 

Jan 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; The University of Alabama introduced new head football coach Kalen DeBoer with a press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium. DeBoer speaks during the press conference.

DeBoer was making $4.4 million per season at Washington, but was reportedly set to receive a new contract that would have paid him $9.4 million per year through 2030. That offer was made shortly after Saban’s retirement. To put things in perspective, DeBoer was "only" making $1.35 million during his second season at Fresno State in 2021.   

Is DeBoer worth that paycheck? Absolutely. He boasts a combined 104-12 record in stints at Sioux Falls (2005-09), Fresno State (2020-21) and Washington (2022-23); and the market demands that his success demands a massive financial commitment.  

Saban, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Michigan State’s Mel Tucker were the only coaches making $10 million or more last season. All but one — Tucker — has coached in a national championship game. Last year’s success makes him worth the massive deal, and Alabama has made a commitment to rewarding success across all sports over the last two decades.  

"A high-level investment in high-level coaches is an important part of the success we've had in our department," Byrne said on Monday. "I feel strongly that we'll continue to show that with the additional steps we're taking today." 

Now comes the tricky part.  

Caleb Downs left Alabama for Ohio State. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

DeBoer saw a mass exodus from his roster after the Tide fell to Michigan in the Rose Bowl national semifinal. Star safety Caleb Downs left for Ohio State, as did hot shot quarterback signee Julian Sayin. Running back Roydell Williams left for Florida State, Texas landed wide receiver Isaiah Bond, and multiple other contributors will be playing in different zip codes in 2024. 

Spring practice will give DeBoer a great chance to see what he has on the roster from a talent standpoint and develop a plan for the spring transfer portal window in late April. National championships are expected in Tuscaloosa and, even if DeBoer is given a mulligan in 2024 after taking over from Saban, he is going to have to lead the Crimson Tide back to glory sooner rather than later in order to follow through on the success that this contract demands.