Kalen DeBoer contract: Salary, buyout, more to know for Alabama football coach
Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer had his contract approved by the compensation committee for the UA System Board of Trustees on Monday.
DeBoer will make $10 million in the first year of his eight-year deal that will run through Dec. 31, 2031. His compensation will grow to $11.75 million in the final year of the deal.
With that contract, DeBoer makes a colossal jump in his compensation, after he made $4.2 million this past season in total pay at Washington. That ranked No. 44 among public school coaches, per the USA TODAY football coach salary database. After leading the Huskies to the College Football Playoff, he was set to receive a substantial raise, though. Washington athletics director Troy Dannen said he put a $9.4 million offer on the table after the Sugar Bowl.
However, DeBoer ultimately turned that down to become the head coach at Alabama, replacing Nick Saban after Saban decided to retire on Jan. 10. Saban was set to make $11.5 million in 2024.
DeBoer's contract is 90% guaranteed.
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What is Kalen DeBoer's buyout?
DeBoer would owe Alabama the following if he leaves before his contract is up:
2024: $5 million
2025: $4 million
2026: $3 million
2027-2031: $0
What is Kalen DeBoer's salary with Alabama football?
Here's what the school will pay DeBoer in his salary each year:
2024: $10 million
2025: $10.25 million
2026: $10.5 million
2027: $10.75 million
2028: $11 million
2029: $11.25 million
2030: $11.5 million
2031: $11.75 million
Where Kalen DeBoer ranks among college football coaches in salary
DeBoer is tied for fourth among public school college football coaches for 2024. Here are the rankings based on pay from the schools:
Clemson's Dabo Swinney: $11 million
Georgia's Kirby Smart: $10.75 million
Texas' Steve Sarkisian: $10.6 million
Alabama's Kalen DeBoer and Florida State's Mike Norvell: $10 million
USA TODAY's Steve Berkowitz contributed to this report.
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kalen Deboer contract: Salary, buyout for Alabama football coach