Kalen DeBoer Reveals How Washington to Alabama Move Went Down

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer recently gave fans a glimpse into what really went down during his transition from the Washington Huskies to Alabama.

As the head coach of the Huskies, DeBoer had a 25-3 record over the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

In his second year, he led the team to the College Football Playoff National Championship but fell 34-13 to the Michigan Wolverines.

Most people assumed DeBoer would remain at Washington for a third year until Alabama pursued him following the retirement of the seven-time national championship-winning coach, Nick Saban.

DeBoer was hired by the Crimson Tide shortly after news broke of Saban.

In a recent appearance on “The Triple Option” podcast , DeBoer discussed the hiring process and how quickly things unfolded. It first began with Washington's season concluding and Saban retiring.

"It's actually really simple," DeBoer said. "We had our season. We flew back on Tuesday after the Monday game, and Wednesday, Coach Saban announces his retirement."

DeBoer then explained how and when Alabama reached out.

"And late, late, late Wednesday night, my agent let me know that Greg Byrne (Alabama athletic director) wanted to meet, and it was literally the next day," he added. "We were on a plane up, and so it was that fast. And so, no gauging of interest other than, hey, would you be interested in meeting? And that was that Wednesday night."

Everything happened so quickly that Saban's announcement led to DeBoer's interview and hiring within just two days.

"Thursday interviewed, and then Friday got offered the job and accepted it," DeBoer said. "And Friday night, I was here, you know, meeting with the team, so it was that fast."

In Week 5, No. 4 Alabama will host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Georgia comes in as a 1.5-point road favorite.

Related: Kalen DeBoer Issues Eye-Opening Challenge to Crimson Tide Ahead of Georgia Game