Nick Saban Reacts To Kalen DeBoer's $87.5 Million Contract

Nick Saban Reacts To Kalen DeBoer's .5 Million Contract

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Nick Saban Reacts To Kalen DeBoer's .5 Million Contract

College football fans were a bit surprised last week when Alabama announced a new seven-year contract for Kalen DeBoer.

DeBoer has gone 20-8 since taking over as Alabama's football coach. There were some rumblings about him potentially leaving for Michigan and Penn State last season, but he'll be coaching the Crimson Tide for the foreseeable future.

In order to ensure DeBoer will be at Alabama for the 2026 season and beyond, the athletic department gave him a deal that'll pay him $12.5 million per season.

"We are excited about the opportunity to continue our time in Tuscaloosa with this contract extension," DeBoer said in a statement. "This university has become a special place to us, and I look forward to working to ensure that Alabama football remains at the forefront of college football."

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer speaks in a press conference after the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

While at the Regions Traditions Pro-Am in Birmingham this Wednesday morning, legendary coach Nick Saban was asked about DeBoer's new deal.

Saban ultimately believes DeBoer's hefty salary is the cost of doing business in today's era of college football.

"Look, I think coaching is a competitive field, just like playing is a competitive field, and I think Kalen’s had a lot of opportunities (elsewhere) and if Alabama wanted to keep him, they needed to do what they needed to do to keep him," Saban said, via On3. "I’m happy that he’s the coach. And I think when coaches change (schools) now, how much does your roster change? When I retired (in 2024), 26 players (transferred), which was hard for the next coach, whoever it was, to overcome. And I think they’ve done a pretty good job with that transition."

Pressure is on DeBoer to get it done.

After missing the College Football Playoff in 2024, DeBoer led the Crimson Tide to the quarterfinals in 2025. They were ultimately dismantled by the Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl.

Now that DeBoer is under contract through the 2032 season, it's imperative that he leads Alabama to a deep run in the CFP.

If DeBoer comes up short next season, Alabama fans will certainly voice their displeasure online.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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