Washington's Kalen DeBoer Finalizing Deal To Become Next Alabama Football Coach: REPORT

TUSCALOOSA, AL — University of Washington head football coach Kalen DeBoer is finalizing discussions with the University of Alabama to become its next coach, ESPN's Chris Low reported Friday afternoon.

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ESPN college football writer Pete Thamel also reported that DeBoer has informed Washington officials that he is leaving to take the Alabama job and will notify his team of the decision soon.

The news has not yet been confirmed or refuted by Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, but was first reported by the same ESPN sportswriter who broke the news of head coach Nick Saban's retirement on Wednesday.

"As with any coaching search, our goal is to be thorough, but expedient," Byrne said in a statement Wednesday night. " Our ideal candidate will be strong in recruiting and relationship building, player development, excel in Xs and Os and have the overall ability to lead this historic program. There will be plenty of rumors out there during this process. Next time I talk publicly will be to announce our new coach. If you don't hear it from me, don't believe it."

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This also follows several high-profile coaches — Oregon's Dan Lanning, Texas's Steve Sarkisian and Florida State's Mike Norvell — each confirming their intentions to stay with their respective programs.

DeBoer, 49, has coached the Huskies for the last two seasons, compiling a 25–3 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff national championship game this season. He also won back-to-back Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023.

Before his time in Seattle, DeBoer coached for two seasons at Fresno State and five at his alma mater at the University of Sioux Falls, where he was a two-sport standout in baseball and football.

During his time coaching the Cougars, he won three NAIA national championships.

Originally from Millbank, South Dakota, DeBoer and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters, Alexis and Avery.

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