Alabama, DeBoer agree to 7-year extension

Alabama and head coach Kalen DeBoer agreed to a new seven-year contract extension, the program announced Wednesday.

The new deal increases DeBoer's average annual salary to $12.5 million, per Michael Casagrande of AL.com. DeBoer's buyout is now set at $10 million through January 2027 and $8 million through 2028. DeBoer's previous contract would've expired after the 2031 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.

"This program has a long history of success and an unmatched tradition that I was eager to be a part of two years ago, and I cannot wait to keep coaching our guys and bring more championships to Alabama."

DeBoer will enter his third season as the Crimson Tide's head coach after being hired in January 2024 to replace Nick Saban. He holds a 20-8 record through two campaigns and is coming off an 11-4 season in which Alabama lost to Indiana 38-3 in the second round of the College Football Playoffs.

The 51-year-old was rumored to be in the running for Michigan's head coaching job after Sherrone Moore was fired, but DeBoer denied having any interest in the position.

"I didn't come here to follow Coach (Nick) Saban only to turn around after two years and go somewhere else," DeBoer told On3's Chris Low. "I mean, this is Alabama. I'm at an amazing place. That's the way I was looking at it."

Alabama will enter next season with a ton of roster turnover. It's unclear who the starting quarterback will be after Ty Simpson declared for the NFL draft, but Junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell are the frontrunners.

The Crimson Tide will kick off its 2026 campaign against East Carolina on Sept. 5.