Alabama hires Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to replace Nick Saban

The college football coaching carousel keeps spinning.

angry husky watches an elephant

After Dan Lanning made it clear he was not leaving Oregon, Alabama went cruising up I-5 and found their head coach to replace the exalted Nick Saban.

The Washington Huskies have lost the national title game, and the coach that got them there all in one week. Kalen DeBoer is headed to Tuscaloosa. Ross Dellenger has financial projections.

With Kalen DeBoer’s move final, Alabama owes Washington about $12 million in buyout money. That, combined with DeBoer’s likely $10M+ salary, makes this an incredibly expensive move from the Crimson Tide - a commitment of near or over $100 million.

DeBoer was in Montlake for only two years, and as he as done at nearly ever spot in his college football tenure, turned Washington around in a hurry. They went from 4-8 doormat the year before he got to Seattle to a Playoff title finalist in one season. It’s devastating news for a program who seemed to be on the verge of figuring it out, but one good hire can hopefully keep them in a positive trajectory.

DeBoer did play a very small part in the final destruction of the Pac-12, as he essentially nixed an all-streaming deal from Apple, leading to Washington accepting a Big Ten invite. And now he’s gone from Washington as they head to the Big ten. What a final villain reveal.

From a Bear perspective, Jeremiah Hunter recently transferred from Cal to Washington. Could he reconsider his decision in the 30-day transfer window opened to players after a coach’s departure? It could depend on how much of the staff decides to leave.

And of course there could be significant Washington talent entering the portal as well. Could Cal land another Taj Davis-type to help bolster Cal’s depth?

(And no, there are no concerns that Justin Wilcox will be considered for the Washington job this time around. We stay off the carousel yet again.)