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Nick Saban endorsed Kalen DeBoer's contract extension at Alabama, emphasizing the competitive nature of coaching. DeBoer, entering his third season, is seen as pivotal for the team's future after a challenging previous season.
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NCAA, College League, USA Football: Rose Bowl-Alabama at Indiana Jan 1, 2026 Pasadena, CA, USA Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer looks on before the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl Stadium. Pasadena Rose Bowl Stadium CA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20260101_lbm_al2_004 ©IMAGO/Imagn Images
âIn the world of Alabama football, no voice carries more weight than Nick Sabanâs. The former Crimson Tide head coach has been careful in what he says about whatâs happening at Tuscaloosa since he retired. But now he just used his voice to unequivocally back the massive investment in his successor, Kalen DeBoer.
âI think coaching is a competitive field, just like playing is a competitive field. And I think Kalenâs had a lot of opportunity,â said Saban to reporters during his appearance at the Regions Tradition. âI think if Alabama wanted to keep him, they needed to do what they needed to do to keep him. Iâm happy heâs the coach.â
Nick Saban expressed support for Kalen DeBoer's contract extension, stating that Alabama needed to act to keep him due to the competitive nature of coaching.
Kalen DeBoer has had a mixed performance, with significant losses last season, including a quarterfinal exit and a defeat in the SEC Championship game.
Alabama extended Kalen DeBoer's contract to ensure program stability amid interest from other schools, highlighting their commitment to his leadership.
Last season, Alabama faced major losses against teams like Florida State and Oklahoma, and they exited the playoffs early against Indiana.
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Entering his third season at Alabama, DeBoer has a strong chance to turn this into a breakout year. However, last season, Alabama suffered some major regular-season losses, including against Florida State and Oklahoma, and a quarterfinal exit to Indiana. The Tide also lost the SEC Championship game to Georgia in an embarrassing fashion. Despite that, the Tide prioritized program stability by extending DeBoerâs contract amid interest from other schools like Michigan and PSU.
By noting DeBoerâs âopportunities,â Saban was defending the Tideâs decision to pay him $12.5 million annually, explaining that if Alabama wanted to keep him, they needed to match or exceed what other schools were offering. During the playoffs last season, rumors surfaced that both Penn State and Michigan were interested in the Bama head coach. Had Alabama not beaten Oklahoma, the conversations could have escalated even further within the program.
However, DeBoer later confirmed he had no interest in outside offers, the Crimson Tide didnât want to take any risks, which is why they agreed to sign a new seven-year contract extension valued at $87.5 million.
The deal, approved by the University of Alabama Systemâs Compensation Committee, extends DeBoerâs tenure through January 31, 2033. While many doubted that DeBoer could replicate that six-national-championship level of success at Alabama in the post-Saban era, the head coach is already showing glimpses of his ability.
In his first two seasons, he led the Crimson Tide to a 20â8 record and a spot in the CFP. Despite this, the Tide has not achieved the same level of success as they did during the Saban era. So, one could argue whether Kalen DeBoerâs 2025 success justifies this hefty raise. Hereâs where Saban praised DeBoer for doing a âpretty good jobâ of leading the program through the transition over the last two seasons.
âNow if coaches change, how much does your roster change?â said Saban. âWhen I retired, I think 26 players moved, which was hard for the next coach, whoever it was, to overcome. And I think theyâve done a pretty good job with that transition.â
Now, DeBoerâs 2026 extension marks the first time his guaranteed annual pay exceeds Sabanâs peak coaching salary.
With the extension, Kalen DeBoer gets a $2 million raise from his previously scheduled pay, and this raise makes the Alabama head coach one of the top five highest-paid coaches in CFB. While DeBoer now earns more per year, it is worth noting that Nick Saban was the highest-paid coach in the country ($11.1 million) during his final season at Alabama.
However, Kalen DeBoerâs new agreement includes revised buyout terms for both the coach and the university. If fired without cause, Alabama owes DeBoer 90% of his remaining salary. For example, a termination in 2026 could result in a buyout of over $67.5 million.
Meanwhile, if DeBoer chooses to leave for another position, his personal buyout starts at $10 million through January 2027 and decreases by $2 million annually. Now, with this hefty investment, we will see whether the coach brings success in the 2026 season.
The post Nick Saban Breaks Silence on Kalen DeBoerâs Alabama Contract Extension: âI Think Heâs Had a Lot of Opportunityâ appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.