Kalen DeBoer is heading into the 2026 season with high energy as Alabama locked him up for the long term with a massive $87.5 million contract extension. The contract will grant him some degree of job security moving forward, unless the Crimson Tide decide they want to pony up in a major way.
Why Alabama Could Face a Massive Buyout for Kalen DeBoer
Michael Bratton, known as SEC Mike of “That SEC Podcast,” joined the “3 Man Front” crew to discuss his post-spring SEC football power rankings. Bratton was critical of DeBoer and the decision to offer a massive contract extension.
“I would just like to congratulate Alabama for locking up Kalen DeBoer on this massive contract extension,” Bratton said. “Because they are going to etch themselves into all-time college athletics history when they join the list some of these others that have to pay a massive buyout because the coach is a complete fraud which is Kalen DeBoer, which I don’t know that he’s going to be there if we’re talking one year. I don’t even know if he’s the head coach at Alabama.
“He probably will because he just got that massive extension. I don’t think he’s got much more than two years. So, congratulations, Alabama. You’ve made the record book for buyouts in my opinion.”
Alabama approved a seven-year extension that runs through the 2032 season, with DeBoer set to earn $12.5 million annually. The deal carries huge financial implications, as if the school decides to part ways with him without cause, it would owe 90% of the remaining salary. Even a termination after the upcoming season would cost Alabama around $67.5 million.
The contract also does not include a “duty to mitigate” clause, meaning Alabama would still be required to pay the full amount even if DeBoer takes another job after being fired. Meanwhile, he would not owe Alabama anything if he chooses to leave the program between Feb. 1, 2029, and Jan. 31, 2033.
The 2026 season will be DeBoer’s third leading Alabama after taking over from Nick Saban. So far, he has had a 20-8 record and guided the team to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2025.
While some remain critical of DeBoer’s extension, the coach believes it will strengthen his recruiting efforts.
“Really, all the conversations with prospects the last five months have been very positive,” DeBoer said Wednesday, via AL.com. “And so yeah, I mean, it doesn’t hurt, right? It helps. Everything helps. And so, these guys coming in, they certainly know that they’re going to have myself and, along with me come most of our staff that hopefully can be here that whole time.
“And great opportunities will come up for them, but that continuity is important, not just to our success, but also the development of these guys that are trying to figure out which program they’re going to go to.”
Alabama will kick off the 2026 season on Sept. 5, hosting East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium. PFSN currently gives the Crimson Tide a 34.3% chance of securing the College Football Playoff in the upcoming season.
