Trending Now - Alabama Secures Kalen Deboer With Nearly $90 Million Deal
WHO:
Daily Mail Sports - Kalen DeBoer is the head coach of Alabama football.
On3 - Greg Byrne is the athletic director of Alabama.
WHAT:
On3 - DeBoer's buyout if he leaves before January 31st, 2027, is now set at $10 million, which is an increase from the previous $5 million.
On3 - Under his previous agreement, DeBoer's buyout would have dropped to $4 million a year later and $3 million after the 2028 season, which is different from the new contract terms.
On3 - DeBoer is now among the top 5 highest-paid coaches in college football, alongside Kirby Smart, Curt Cignetti, Lane Kiffin, and Ryan Day, all making at least $12.5 million per year.
Daily Mail Sports - Kalen DeBoer signed a new contract worth $87.5 million.
On3 - The new contract extends DeBoer's agreement by two years, now ending on January 31st, 2033.
On3 - DeBoer's annual salary is raised to $12.5 million.
On3 - The buyout for DeBoer if he leaves before January 31st, 2027, is set at $10 million.
On3 - DeBoer's buyout decreases by $2 million per year after January 31st, 2027.
On3 - Alabama would owe DeBoer 90% of his remaining compensation if fired without cause.
WHERE:
Daily Mail Sports - The contract was approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees compensation committee.
WHEN:
Daily Mail Sports - The contract was approved on Wednesday, April 20th, 2026.
On3 - DeBoer has a record of 20-8 over two seasons since taking over for Nick Saban.
On3 - Alabama finished the 2025 season with an 11-4 record and participated in the College Football Playoff.
WHY:
On3 - DeBoer stated, “I didn’t come here to follow coach Saban only to turn around after two years and go somewhere else,” emphasizing his commitment to Alabama.
On3 - The contract extension was influenced by DeBoer's name being linked to job openings at Penn State and Michigan.
HOW:
On3 - DeBoer’s staff has already secured five committed players in Alabama's 2027 recruiting class, indicating ongoing recruitment efforts.
On3 - The contract was approved during a virtual meeting of the compensation committee.
(UPDATED April 23, 2026 01:23 UTC)
DeBoer's buyout if he leaves before January 31stst, 2027, has increased to $10 million, a significant jump from the previous $5 million, and under the new terms, it would have dropped to $4 million a year later and $3 million after the 2028 season. He is now ranked among the top five highest-paid coaches in college football, joining the ranks of Kirby Smart, Curt Cignetti, Lane Kiffin, and Ryan Day, all earning at least $12.5 million annually. DeBoer has expressed his commitment to Alabama, stating he didn’t come to follow coach Saban only to leave after two years, and his staff has already secured five committed players for Alabama's 2027 recruiting class.
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(UPDATED April 22, 2026 23:17 UTC)
Kalen DeBoer, the head coach of Alabama football, has signed a new contract worth $87.5 million, extending his agreement by two years to January 31stst, 2033, with an annual salary of $12.5 million. The contract, which includes a buyout clause of $10 million if he leaves before January 31stst, 2027, was approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees compensation committee on Monday. DeBoer has led the team to a record of 20 wins and 8 losses over two seasons, and the extension comes amid speculation linking him to job openings at Penn State and Michigan.