The 'reason' Kalen DeBoer signed Alabama football contract extension

After a season-opening road loss to Florida State, Alabama won 10 of 11 games. Its only loss in that stretch was by two points to Oklahoma. It was a Crimson Tide team that showed “what they are made of,” DeBoer said, a group defined by its resiliency, that moved forward, that got better and that ended its season where it wanted to be: with an SEC championship berth and in the College Football Playoff.

There’s momentum in recruiting, DeBoer said, highlighting back-to-back signing classes that finished in the top-five of 247Sports’ composite rankings, momentum that has continued in 2027 with a commitment from five-star quarterback Elijah Haven.

And there’s momentum in culture building, DeBoer said, one that continues to grow.

“That’s what it’s all about,” DeBoer said. “That’s what you want is, internally, the right people, whether it’s your administration or it’s your players, and everything in between, all moving in the right direction together.”

DeBoer will be the first one to tell you that his contract extension at Alabama was a great thing. His family loves Tuscaloosa, he said. He has a staff that enjoys working together. He feels the support and backing of the university.

But nothing changed after the contract extension, DeBoer said. The building of his program “was already happening.” And DeBoer’s feelings toward the Crimson Tide are unwavering.

“I’m here for a reason,” DeBoer said. “We’ve got a great staff. This is an amazing place and we have great support. It didn’t change just because there was just a contract extension.”

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kalen DeBoer shares reason behind Alabama football contract extension