The University of Alabama has approved the contract for new head coach Kalen DeBoer, solidifying his position as one of the highest-paid coaches in all of college football.
DeBoer’s staggering average annual salary of $10.875 million places him among the top five coaches nationally in terms of compensation.
More than two months after his introductory press conference, the UA System trustee’s compensation committee has ratified Kalen DeBoer’s contract.
Read about the details here: https://t.co/O2jGshY9ud pic.twitter.com/OMTHxgQIPF
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) March 18, 2024
Under the terms of his eight-year contract, DeBoer will earn $10 million in the initial year, with incremental increases of $250,000 annually.
By the final year of his contract, his compensation will peak at $11.75 million.
Must be nice getting a raise for losing games 🤔💰 #priorities #rolltide
— Dakota Gray (@DakotaCharmsX) March 19, 2024
Notably, DeBoer’s contract offers substantial security, with 90% guaranteed compensation in the event of termination without cause, and a non-mitigated buyout structure for early departure.
His buyout figures decrease annually, starting at $5 million in 2024 and eventually tapering to zero from 2027 to 2031.
Performance based incentives for Kalen DeBoer in new contract:
SECCG appearance: $75,000
SECCG win: $125,000
CFP appearance: $150,000
CFP quarterfinals: $250,000
CFP semis: $400,000
CFP title game: $600,000
CFP title: $875,000 https://t.co/nmVJWMvV2W— Katie Windham (@katiewindham_) March 18, 2024
Overall, DeBoer’s average salary will rank fourth in the nation.
Whether you love him or hate him, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is the highest-paid head coach in all of college football, raking in an average annual salary of $11.5 million.
Dabo Swinney after signing a 93 million dollar contract pic.twitter.com/2GQY4UlOTM
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 26, 2019
Georgia’s Kirby Smart and USC’s Lincoln Riley are also over the $11 million figure annually.
DeBoer now comes in fourth with his $10.875 million figure. He’s followed closely by Texas’ Steve Sarkisian ($10.64 million) and Florida State’s Mike Norvell ($10.52 million).
(Notably, Nick Saban was due to make $11.5 million in 2024.)
What happened to coaching for the love the game? Now it's all about chasing money smh
— The Monday Morning QuarterBLACK (@TheMMQBL) March 19, 2024
DeBoer led the Washington Huskies to the national title game this past season.
He reportedly turned down a lucrative contract extension from Washington, said to be worth $9.4 million annually.
The attraction of the Alabama job proved to be too great for DeBoer to pass up.
Following Saban’s surprising retirement announcement, plenty of sexy names were floated as possible replacements. Everyone from Dan Lanning to Lane Kiffin to Steve Sarkisian … But it’s clear that Alabama had Deboer on the top of their list.
What recruiting against Kalen DeBoer will do to a mf pic.twitter.com/dt5rH3J1H5
— AllTide 247 (@conwayvinny2) March 12, 2024
DeBoer may not have the flashiest of personalities – but that’s a good thing. Especially when you come equipped with such an outstanding resume like he does.
He’s an old-school coach who has climbed every step of the ladder.
Compiling an extraordinary record of 104-12 during his stops at Sioux Falls (2005-09), Fresno State (2020-21) and Washington (2022-23), DeBoer’s value is obvious.
“One of our maxims is to have a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. We don’t take any of those words lightly from relentless to pursuit of improvement,” @KalenDeBoer
Complacency is the enemy of success. Winners enthusiastically strive to get better. pic.twitter.com/2jPJGnG75k
— The Winning Difference (@thewinningdiff1) March 18, 2024
In other Alabama salary news, the following figures have been agreed upon for the upcoming season…
-Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack ($1.55 million).
-Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan ($1.35 million).
-Co-offensive coordinator / wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard ($1.1 million).
-Associate head coach / defensive line coach Freddie Roach ($1 million).
-Strength coach David Ballou ($950,000).
-Assistant head coach / running backs coach Robert Gillespie ($850,000).
-Co-defensive coordinator / defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist ($875,000).
-Offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic ($875,000).
-Outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson ($650,000).
-Co-defensive coordinator / defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler ($625,000).
-Tight ends coach Bryan Ellis ($550,000).
-General manager Courtney Morgan ($500,000).
-Special teams coordinator Jay Nunez ($250,000).
Curious how much Kalen DeBoer will mold his offense to Jalen Milroe during spring practice. DeBoer's offenses have averaged over 40 pass attempts a game the last 4 years. Alabama averaged 23 attempts a game last year
Spring ball is a beautiful thing
— J.D. PicKell (@jdpickell) March 19, 2024
What are your thoughts on the DeBoer hire?
Do you think he has proven enough to justify such a massive salary?
Did Alabama get taken advantage of in negotiations? … Or will DeBoer be worth every penny?
At what point do you think we’ll approach the $15 million per year mark for top college coaches? … Is that day coming soon???