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3:06 PM CST – Chris Row ESPN Reported DeBoer has agreed to a contract to become Alabama's next head coach.
2:32 PM CST – Tamel is reporting Debooa told Washington that he had undergone the job and reported to the team soon.
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1:21 PM CST – ESPNPete Tamel is reporting Washington's Karen DeBoer is currently in contract negotiations to replace Nick Saban and will become the 28th head coach in Alabama football history.
Last season, DeBoer led Washington to an undefeated Pac-12 title and a national championship game appearance. He has an overall record of 104-12 as a head coach dating back to his days in Sioux Falls, with his teams going an outrageous 67-3 at the NAIA level and winning three national championships.
His first Division I head coaching opportunity came at Fresno State in 2020, leading the Bulldogs to nine wins in 2021 after his first season was shortened to 3-3 due to COVID-19. He led the team to a three-loss season and was subsequently named head coach at the University of Washington.
RELATED: DeBoer's Seattle radio station appearance scheduled canceled due to Alabama rumors
In two years in Washington, DeBoer lost just three games. One of those games was the national championship game after inheriting a Husky program that went 4-8 the year before he took over.
He is known for his offensive prowess, and this season he oversaw Washington's offense, one of the best in the nation.
Perhaps most impressive is DeBoer's performance against two coaches who were considered top prospects at Alabama. He is 5-0 overall against Dan Lanning and Steve Sarkisian (3-0 against Lanning at Oregon, 2-0 against Sarkisian at Texas). Debooa won 12 wins and 2 losses against the top 25 AP opponents.
Buying DeBoer won't come cheap for Alabama, which reportedly owes Washington $12 million. According to ESPN's Chris Lowe, DeBoer received a contract offer from Washington that would more than double his annual salary of more than $4.2 million, making him one of the top 10 highest-paid coaches in college football.
RELATED: 17 years ago today: Saban named head coach at Alabama
The main question being asked about DeBoer will be reinforcements, but what cannot be denied is his ability to win games.
DeBoer's first task will be to shore up the current roster, as star receiver Isaiah Bond filed paperwork to enter the transfer portal today.
Michael Brauner is a senior sports analyst and contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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