Kalen DeBoer’s rough start to the 2025 season has Alabama stuck in a tough spot. The Crimson Tide’s shocking 31-17 upset loss to unranked Florida State sent shockwaves through Tuscaloosa, with frustrated fans calling for the head coach’s job before halftime. But firing Nick Saban’s replacement comes with a hefty price tag that might keep DeBoer safe, at least for now.
How Much Would It Cost Alabama to Fire Kalen DeBoer?
Alabama handed DeBoer an eight-year, $87 million contract when they announced his hiring on January 8, 2024. The deal runs through December 31, 2031, with annual salary increases of $250,000Â that put his 2025 compensation at $10.25 million and grow to $11.75 million in the final year.
If Alabama fires DeBoer without cause, they must pay 90% of his remaining contract value, roughly $63-70 million as of September 2025. The buyout drops to about $60 million if they wait until December 1, though that’s still a massive financial hit.
However, the contract includes a monthly payment structure, meaning Alabama wouldn’t need the entire amount upfront. Still, the total remains substantial enough to give university administrators serious pause.
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Alabama poached DeBoer from Washington after paying $12 million to buy him from his Huskies contract. They were betting the coach who led Washington to the 2023 national championship game after a remarkable 14-1 season could fill Saban’s enormous shoes.
DeBoer’s first season proved disappointing with a 9-4 record that included stunning losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
What Went Wrong Against Florida State in the Season Opener?
Alabama’s season opener turned into a nightmare scenario, with the Crimson Tide falling 31-17 to a Florida State team that managed only two wins last season. The loss exposed serious problems within DeBoer’s program and ended Alabama’s 23-game winning streak in season openers.
The offense struggled mightily, managing just 87 rushing yards on 29 attempts. Quarterback Ty Simpson had a rough debut, completing only 23 of 43 passes for 254 yards while throwing two costly interceptions that helped seal Alabama’s fate.
This marked Alabama’s first loss in a season opener since 2001, a streak that stretched back to the early days of Dennis Franchione’s tenure. The defeat was so shocking that frustrated fans made “Fire DeBoer” trend on social media during the game.
It’s clear Kalen DeBoer is unable to recruit/create a physical brand of football.
Alabama football has been overpowered in size and physicality since DeBoer has been the HC
Not to mention the discipline, intensity & effort levels in question as wellpic.twitter.com/8W42MQSMhl
— Ryan Knows Ball (@RyanKnowsBall) August 30, 2025
While fans want DeBoer gone, that massive buyout makes firing him financially challenging. The money situation protects him, even as pressure mounts after such an embarrassing loss.
Can DeBoer Bounce Back Against Louisiana-Monroe This Saturday?
DeBoer gets another chance for redemption this Saturday when Alabama hosts Louisiana-Monroe at 7:45 p.m. (ET)Â in Bryant-Denny Stadium. ULM represents precisely the opponent Alabama has historically dominated under Saban’s leadership.
The history between these teams tells a revealing story. ULM holds a 1-3 record against the Crimson Tide, including that infamous 2007 upset during Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa. Since then, Alabama has maintained a perfect record against unranked opponents under Saban from 2008 to 2021.
DeBoer has already broken that standard multiple times, making Saturday’s home opener crucial for his immediate future. Another embarrassing loss could make even that $70 million buyout seem worthwhile to frustrated Alabama boosters who expected championship-level football, not stunning upsets to unranked teams.
The bottom line is clear: DeBoer’s massive contract creates significant financial protection, but his coaching tenure hangs in the balance with each disappointing performance. Saturday’s game against ULM isn’t just another contest; it’s a test of whether he can restore Alabama’s dominance or if the Crimson Tide’s championship window has truly closed.
