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On Friday evening, the University of Alabama officially hired Kalen DeBoer as its new head football coach.
DeBoer will succeed the best college football coach of all time, a difficult responsibility he described as a “honor” in a statement provided by the former Washington head coach.
“I’ve always had tremendous regard for Alabama football and its dedication to excellence,” DeBoer said. “This program’s tradition-rich heritage is unparalleled in collegiate athletics, and I look forward to continue that in the future.”
It’s a privilege to follow Coach Saban. He has set the benchmark for college football, and his accomplishments are unequaled. “I would not have left Washington for any institution,” he said. “The opportunity to oversee the football program at the University of Alabama is one of a lifetime. My family and I are incredibly blessed and excited to become a part of the Tuscaloosa community.”
DeBoer went on, “I’d want to thank Director of Athletics Greg Byrne, President Stuart R. Bell, Chancellor Finis St. John, and the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees for believing in me to lead this program.”
DeBoer has an amazing record of 104 wins and 12 defeats in nine seasons as a head coach. Notably, he has a phenomenal 25-3 record at Washington in the last two years. The previous season, DeBoer led the Huskies to a 14-1 record, winning the Pac-12 title and the Sugar Bowl before advancing to the national championship game.
DeBoer has the necessary qualifications for the job and now has Nick Saban’s approval.
“I want nothing more than to see Alabama football continue to succeed, and Coach DeBoer is an excellent choice to head our team,” Saban said in a statement. “He has a proven track record of achievement and is one of the most brilliant football minds. Coach DeBoerhas an excellent understanding of what it takes to be a successful head coach, whether it’s coaching, recruiting, developing players or building a culture.”
He has done an excellent job at every stop in his coaching career, and I am interested to see what he can achieve in Tuscaloosa,” he added. “Terry and I will be here to assist Coach DeBoer and his family with anything they require.”
Greg Byrne, Alabama’s athletic director, also gave DeBoer great accolades.
“Coach DeBoer has proven himself to be a winner and has done an outstanding job as a head coach at each of his destinations,” Byrne stated. “One of the things I told our team the other day is that we are going to have someone who is not only a brilliant coach with the Xs and Os, but also someone who cares about his players and someone I would want my boys to play for, just as I would have wanted them to play for Coach Saban. We have that in Coach DeBoer. He is eager to get started, and we look forward to him heading the Alabama Crimson Tide football team for years to come.
DeBoer will be unveiled at a 1 p.m. press conference.on Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
