Not sure “shocked” is the right word to use when it comes to Kalen DeBoer defecting from Washington to take the Alabama head coaching job. DeBoer is aggressive, doesn’t shy away from a challenge, and being Nick Saban’s successor proved too juicy of an opportunity to pass on despite what he’d built with the Huskies in such a short time.
But the real, absolute, undisputed champion in college football is not Jim Harbaugh and Michigan. First of all, Harbaugh is likely gone to the NFL here soon, so enjoy it while you can, Wolverines! That natty is most likely going to be vacated someday for all the sign-stealing nonsense that went on, too. I’m kidding. I doubt it. The NCAA itself should be vacated, disemboweled and ejected into the sun.
OK sorry. Back on subject. The real national champion is Jimmy Sexton, DeBoer’s agent. Just so happens that Sexton represented Saban. Oh wait, and he represents Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, Oregon’s Dan Lanning, and Florida State’s Mike Norvell. Check out how this is all unfolding for Sexton.
Sources: Kalen DeBoer has informed Washington officials he's taking the job at Alabama. He's expected to tell his team soon.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 12, 2024
Source: Mike Norvell's new contract at Florida State is slated to be an average of more than $10 million per year for the next eight years.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 12, 2024
Jimmy Sexton put on a masterclass this week.
1. His client (Nick Saban) retires
2. He uses the Alabama job as leverage to get raises for his other clients (Dan Lanning, Mike Norvell & Steve Sarkisian)
3. He then places another client (Kalen DeBoer) at Alabama.
Textbook stuff. pic.twitter.com/r7hZkqjb2q
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) January 12, 2024
With Kalen DeBoer’s move final, Alabama owes Washington about $12 million in buyout money. That, combined with DeBoer’s likely $10M+ salary, makes this an incredibly expensive move from the Crimson Tide – a commitment of near or over $100 million.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 12, 2024
Holy wow. Hello commission checks, baby!
DeBoer has been on a rocket ship to the top of the college football coaching hierarchy. Raging success at lower divisions, followed by a solid little run at Fresno State (3-3 in the COVID year of 2020, 9-3 the next), and damn did he lift that Huskies program to top-tier status in a hurry.
A legendary rise for Kalen DeBoer 👏
2000-04: Sioux Falls OC
2005-09: Sioux Falls HC
2010-13: Southern Illinois OC
2014-16: Eastern Michigan OC
2017-18: Fresno State OC
2019: Indiana OC
2020-21: Fresno State HC
2022-24: Washington HCNow: Alabama Head Coach pic.twitter.com/Fo0xhtl8Md
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 12, 2024
Kalen Deboer is 101-9 (not a typo) as a head coach in non-covid seasons.
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) January 12, 2024
Now that he has more resources than ever before and certainly an exponential surplus compared to what he was working with at Washington, DeBoer is bound to compete with Kirby Smart’s Georgia program for the annual conference title/run to the College Football Playoff like Saban did before him.
Many Alabama fans say they prefer Steve Sarkisian and Dan Lanning.
Yet Kalen DeBoer went 5-0 vs Sark and Lanning the last two years with lesser talent.
The Crimson Tide got an elite "X's and O's" coach. DeBoer just needs to hire a few "A" recruiters on his staff.
— Brad Powers (@BradPowers7) January 12, 2024
I just wonder if DeBoer will eventually tire of how chaotic the transfer portal can be, not to mention the Wild West that is the modern NIL situation. There’s less to worry about on that front at Alabama, so maybe it won’t be as much of a factor.
This may seem blasphemous to say: DeBoer almost feels like a hybrid of Dan Campbell’s competitive demeanor and a more schematically attack-minded Kliff Kingsbury. Sprinkle in a bit of Harbaugh since DeBoer seems to win right away no matter where he goes. Not surprising that Sexton, already armed with an A-list who’s who of college coaching clients, moved fast to nab DeBoer in the middle of this season.
Two things happened in the middle of Washington’s season. 1. They had an AD change. 2. DeBoer hired Jimmy Sexton. Washington tried to get the deal done for many weeks. I think now it’s safe to surmise that Sexton knew what was about to happen. https://t.co/VrvqzVgShz
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 12, 2024
Can you imagine being Jimmy Sexton? Throwing all your clients’ hats into the ring for the most prestigious job opening in the sport, knowing one of them will take over the Crimson Tide and knowing you’re likely to get brand-new contract negotiations sparked for the others? What a freaking all-world power play.
Washington's Kalen DeBoer negotiating w/Alabama to replace Nick Saban, @ClowESPN reports. Oregon's Dan Lanning, Texas' Steve Sarkisian & Florida State's Mike Norvell all indicated they would remain at their respective jobs
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 12, 2024
Man Jimmy Sexton is earning that money today. Talk, leak, and leverage. Most powerful man in college football.
— Mike Johnson (@MPJohnson79) January 12, 2024
