Alabama Football has announced the extensive contract details for Kalen DeBoer, solidifying his position as the head coach until 2031. The contract specifics are as follows:
– An eight-year contract lasting until December 31st, 2031.
– Starting with a salary of $10 million in the first year, gradually increasing to $11,750,000 by the final year.
– A buyout structure starting at $5 million in 2024, decreasing to $0 after 2026.
– Bonuses of up to $875,000 for winning a National Championship.
This contract places DeBoer as the fourth highest-paid coach nationally, trailing Dabo Swinney of Clemson, Kirby Smart of Georgia, and Steve Sarkisian of Texas.
Alabama’s decision to offer such a substantial contract reflects their confidence in DeBoer’s ability to lead the team following Nick Saban’s tenure. Unlike other schools that faced financial burdens from large coaching contracts, Alabama has structured DeBoer’s deal with a maximum cost of $12 million, realistically expected to be around $7 million, ensuring financial flexibility.
DeBoer’s task will be to maintain Alabama’s dominance in the SEC and college football amid changes like the expanded College Football Playoff to 12 teams. While the new format eases the path to the playoffs, DeBoer will still face pressure to meet fans’ expectations, with a playoff appearance becoming an annual expectation. Failure to reach the playoffs, especially in consecutive years, could jeopardize his position due to the contract’s low buyout clause.
