The Alabama Crimson Tide found out on Wednesday that legendary head coach Nick Saban was retiring at the age of 72. With that, the search was on for athletic director Greg Byrne to find his replacement. The names in the search were some of the biggest in college football coaching, with Dan Lanning, Steve Sarkisian, and Mike Norvell leading the way. However, all three decided to stay at their current school. So, where was Byrne to turn, especially with the news that the team was told on Wednesday that they expected to hire a new coach within 72 hours.
Well, Alabama has seemingly found their new head coach, and it's a huge name.
According to ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Chris Low, Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer is negotiating a contract with Alabama to become their new head coach. With that, DeBoer is set to become the 28th head coach in Alabama football history.
Let's take a look at some of the reactions from those in the college football world and, of course, Alabama fans.
Alabama fans, college football world react to Kalen DeBoer replacing Nick Saban
DeBoer is a heck of a coach. Everywhere he's been winning has followed immediately. He's going to have that Bama offense humming. His recruiting resources at Bama > Washington so I'm curious if his recruiting will pick up at Alabama. Will need it for a well rounded team
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 12, 2024
Kalen DeBoer has last 12 games as a head coach. Washington's offense was one of the most electric in all football this year.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 12, 2024
Alabama is in for some big changes but to me this is an A+ hire.
UW fans seeing Kalen Deboer at the airport with crimson Nike gear on pic.twitter.com/UaSUOWjYQa
— B1G Duck Energy (@jw_2198) January 12, 2024
Washington: "Great season, coach. We'll win it all next year."
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) January 12, 2024
Kalen DeBoer: pic.twitter.com/v5lBvzcv6h
Seattle's radio station waiting for DeBoer to show up for his weekly call: https://t.co/yxrkIiqOAt pic.twitter.com/Cjff6oKOdH
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) January 12, 2024
Kalen DeBoer has 12 losses as a head coach. In nine years. Since he took the OC job at Sioux Falls he's never been in a job more than four years, and every move he's made has been upward. There's a reason people keep wanting to move him up the ladder. He's an outstanding coach.
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) January 12, 2024
Please don’t expect Nick Saban from Kalen DeBoer. Support him. But please don’t be unfair
— Austin Randolph (@austinsrandolph) January 12, 2024
Kalen DeBoer is 104–12 as a head coach
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) January 12, 2024
He took over a 4-8 program and went 25-3
They were in the natty by the end of Y2
He’s won 16 coach of the year awards
His offenses put up video game numbers wherever he’s been
He is not even 50 yet
Grand slam hire for Alabama 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/SGC8mSFAHv
Kalen DeBoer to his players before the Championship Gamepic.twitter.com/mC2maMH6aF
— PropSwap (@PropSwap) January 12, 2024
Ole Coach Deboer!! Roll Tide
— Avery Watkins 🔟 (@averysw10) January 12, 2024
Deboer is a good hire. ROLL TIDE
— Kyle Thompson (@KyleThompson168) January 12, 2024
Kalen DeBoer show.. ALL IN! ROLL TIDE!!!!!
— c (@Caleb_Cantrell) January 12, 2024
Sure, losing out on the likes of Lanning, Sarkisian, and Norvell does sting, but that's not taking anything away from DeBoer. With every program that DeBoer had been a part of, they have won. That all started when he coached the Sioux Falls Cougars in Division II, picking up a 67-3 record from 2005-09.
DeBoer received his first opportunity at the FBS level with the Fresno State Bulldogs. After going 3-3 in the 2020 season, DeBoer led the Fresno State to a 9-3 record in 2021. From there, DeBoer made the jump to Washington, and helped turn the program around ever since Chris Petersen left in 2019 and Jimmy Lake left the program in shambles. As we all saw, Washington became a powerhouse in the Pac-12 in his two years with the team.
In DeBoer's first year in 2022, Washington went 11-2, highlighted by an Alamo Bowl win over Texas.
This season, Washington became a top team in the entire nation, highlighted by an electric offense led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and featuring playmakers like Rome Odunze, Dillon Johnson, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan. Washington beat Oregon twice, including in the final Pac-12 Championship Game, and beat the Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl to clinch their spot in the CFP National Championship Game with a 14-0 record. Washington did lose 34-13 to the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines in that game.
Yes, the loss to Michigan does linger, but that shouldn't overshadow the work DeBoer has done with the Huskies. This should make Crimson Tide fans very excited, especially with the program looking to continue their dominance in the SEC.
It's not finalized just yet, but DeBoer will be the replacement for Saban in Tuscaloosa.