Washington coach Kalen DeBoer has informed the team he is leaving to replace Nick Saban at Alabama, according to a person who attended the meeting.
DeBoer, 49, is a former NAIA coach who led Washington to the national championship game in his second season. The person spoke to The Associated Press Friday on condition of anonymity because neither school had announced DeBoer’s decision. The agreement was first reported by ESPN.
DeBoer replaces Saban, who announced his retirement Wednesday after leading the Crimson Tide to six national championships in 17 seasons.
DeBoer signed an extension after going 11-2 in 2022, raising his salary to $4.2 million with incremental increases to $4.8 million in the last year of the contract in 2028. It also included an increased buyout of $12 million if DeBoer left for a new job. Athletic director Troy Dannen has said he first approached the coach about a new contract in October, soon after Dannen left Tulane for the Washington job.
Saban received an eight-year deal in 2022 worth at least $93.6 million, including some $11.1 million this year.
DeBoer had an in-studio appearance with KJR-FM scheduled, but the station announced about two hours prior to the appearance that DeBoer would not be coming on the air.
The fast-rising DeBoer led the Huskies to a 14-1 record this season. Washington won the Pac-12 championship, beat Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals and lost to No. 1 Michigan 34-13 in the national title game.
DeBoer was named The Associated Press coach of the year.