Alabama appoints Kalen DeBoer from Washington as its new football coach.
Kalen DeBoer, who recently led Washington to a Pac-12 championship and secured a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, has been officially named as the next head coach at Alabama, as announced by the school on Friday night.
At the age of 49, DeBoer steps into one of the most prestigious and challenging roles in college football, taking over from Nick Saban, who achieved remarkable success with nine SEC titles and six national championships during his 17-season tenure at Alabama. Saban, with a record of 206-29, retired on Wednesday.
Expressing his respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence, DeBoer stated in a released statement, “The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward. Following Coach Saban is an honor.”
DeBoer, emphasizing the uniqueness of the opportunity, added, “He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented. I would not have left Washington for just any school. The chance to lead the football program at The University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime. My family and I feel truly blessed and look forward to becoming a part of the Tuscaloosa community.”
Having informed his Washington players and staff earlier in the day about his move to Alabama, DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa on Friday night. His first meeting with the new team was anticipated as part of his introduction to the Alabama program.
