By Ryan Deal

605 Sports

DeBoer, 49, replaces iconic coach Nick Saban, who retired earlier in the week after leading Alabama to six national championships. DeBoer was chosen after steadily climbing the coaching ranks, including the past two seasons at Washington. 

“It’s a privilege to be chosen in this role,” DeBoer said. “It’s one I don't take lightly and I know coach Saban has been working hard to make sure this program is in a great spot for the next person to take over.” 

In his nine seasons as a head coach, DeBoer has won 104 games while only losing 12, which includes a 25-3 record with the Huskies. In 2023, he led Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, won the Pac-12 Championship and recorded the most wins in a season in program history (14).

Prior to taking over at Washington, DeBoer spent two seasons at Fresno State, going 12-6 and leading the Bulldogs to the 2021 New Mexico Bowl. His first head-coaching stop was at his alma mater, the University of Sioux Falls, where he spent five seasons (2005-09) at the helm going 67-3 with three NAIA national titles and three national Coach of the Year awards.

“Simply put coach DeBoer is a winner,” Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne said.

Other college coaching stops for DeBoer included Indiana, Eastern Michigan and Southern Illinois.

He now takes over at Alabama, which competes in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference and is regularly among the elite programs each season. 

At his press conference, DeBoer talked about embracing the excellence established in Tuscaloosa and wants to continue it with class, integrity and academic excellence.

“That is my job to make sure we uphold the standard that has been set here at Alabama and continue to build on that,” DeBoer said. 

During the 2023 season, DeBoer received the Associated Press, AFCA, Eddie Robinson, George Munger, Walter Camp and Home Depot Coach of the Year awards.

DeBoer coached 2023 Maxwell Award winner Michael Penix Jr. as well as the offensive line that took home this season's Joe Moore Award. While at Sioux Falls, he developed three NAIA National Player of the Year winners in quarterbacks Lorenzo Brown (2009) and Chad Cavender (2007) and running back Nick Kortan (2002) and 25 first team All-Americans.

DeBoer and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters, Alexis and Avery.