Alabama has made its bed with Kalen DeBoer, and now it must lie in it. In the wake of DeBoer getting an $87.5 million contract extension to stick with the Crimson Tide through the 2023 campaign, 10-4 seasons are the new standard in Tuscaloosa. While Alabama did make the College Football Playoff last year, this has not been a championship-caliber program since Nick Saban hung up the headset.
Leave it up to On3's Pete Nakos to remind us all DeBoer has gone 20-8 since taking over at Alabama.
Kalen DeBoer is 20-8 in two seasons at Alabama. https://t.co/x2QYV6qF2c
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) April 22, 2026
The financial ramifications of DeBoer's deal has the Crimson Tide locked into its good, but not great head coach for the next eight seasons. While Auburn would do unspeakable things to have a head coach last for that long, at least the Tigers have far much more flexibility at the helm of their school's premium position. If Alex Golesh struggles in the SEC, John Cohen can cut ties with him much easier.
This is what Greg Byrne has signed Alabama fans up for by extending its top-10-caliber head coach.
Auburn fans have to be laughing at the Kalen DeBoer contract extension
Over the last four years, it has become apparent what kind of head coach DeBoer really is. With two seasons at Alabama and two at Washington before that, DeBoer is a savvy offensive-minded head coach, but one with limitations. He loves to have too many cooks in the kitchen on his coaching staff. When push comes to shove, he panics, and does not put forth the ideal type of sideline composure.
So what this means for Auburn is Alabama has effectively limited its ceiling. Could the Crimson Tide win a national championship under DeBoer? Potentially, but it will probably be singular, and he may get run out of town before he has a chance to claim a second national title. He is a far better head coach than Gene Chizik ever was, but Alabama has hired its 21st century version of Gene Stallings...
Because the constantly-evolving, nature of college football you are never on top for very long. The SEC has added four more teams since Saban took over for Mike Shula back in 2007. Atop the SEC hierarchy, programs like Georgia and Texas appear to be as strong as Alabama ever was during its dynastic run under Saban. In time, Auburn may get back to former glory. For now, this deal is so wild...
Alabama might not fall off the face of the earth under DeBoer, but we have seen this program's apex.
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