A week ago, Alabama announced a contract extension for head coach Kalen DeBoer, who is preparing to enter his third year as Nick Saban's successor.
DeBoer's extension included a raise to $12.5 million annually, and two additional years onto his contract, taking him through 2032. That came with a significant increase in his buyout, effectively removing him from hot-seat consideration for at least the next two or three seasons, barring a total disaster.
Some Alabama fans approved of the move. Many others did not. After a 20-8 record in two seasons, and the final memory of what had mostly been a positive step forward in 2025 being a 35-point beatdown at the hands of Indiana in the Rose Bowl, it was fair to question the timing of a salary increase.
But that's the price of doing business, particularly when you have a head coach who, regardless of what some Alabama fans think of him, is still highly coveted in coaching circles and had two Blue Blood programs pursue him over the last six months.
Saban certainly understands it, and he gave his thoughts on the extension during an interview prior to the Regions Celebrity ProAm golf tournament on Wednesday in Birmingham.
"I think coaching is a competitive field, just like playing is a competitive field," Saban said. "I think Kalen has had a lot of opportunities, and I think if Alabama wanted to keep him, they needed to do what they needed to do to keep him.
"I'm happy that he's the coach. You know, if coaches change now, how much does your roster change? When I retired, I think 26 players moved, which was hard for the next coach, whoever it was, to overcome, and I think they've done a pretty good job of making that transition."
Nick Saban defends Alabama's decision to give Kalen DeBoer a contract extension
You may not like Greg Byrne's decision to give DeBoer a contract extension, but Saban's words should assist in understanding it a little bit better.
Alabama needed the stability, especially in terms of roster-building and recruiting. The lingering "hot seat" talk being over DeBoer's head heading into his third season in Tuscaloosa wouldn't be good for anyone, and it would undoubtedly have a negative impact on the Crimson Tide's ability to put together the 2027 class.
Byrne's decision to extend DeBoer changed that completely, and it paid immediate dividends with Alabama landing a commitment from 5-star QB Elijah Haven.
DeBoer's recruiting and roster retention of his guys is the biggest reason for optimism about the future of Alabama football. His contract extension ensures that he'll be able to continue doing that with a storm cloud lingering above his head.
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