Alabama commits to Kalen DeBoer with massive contract extension

There may be not a university soccer program within the nation with increased expectations and extra calls for positioned on it than the Alabama Crimson Tide. As such, there may be most likely no coach underneath extra stress than Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, particularly as he tries to comply with within the footsteps of considered one of faculty soccer’s all-time giants in Nick Saban. 

Two years into his tenure, the outcomes have been fairly a methods off from the usual that Saban had set for this system over the earlier decade-plus. 

Not solely is he not on the recent seat for that efficiency, however the school also announced on Wednesday that it has prolonged DeBoer’s contract by means of the 2033 season.

Alabama renews its dedication to Kalen DeBoer with huge contract extension

It isn’t simply the added years to his contract that stand out. 

It’s also the truth that he’s getting a big pay improve, reportedly going from $10.5 million in 2026 to $12.5 million, putting him among the many 5 highest-paid coaches in all of school soccer.

Whereas the general report for DeBoer in his first two seasons with Alabama can be a welcome sight for many applications (20-8), it isn’t usually what Alabama expects and tolerates. In his first yr, the Crimson Tide misplaced 4 video games for the primary time for the reason that 2007 season and did not qualify for the Faculty Soccer Playoff. In yr two, the Crimson Tide went 11-4, certified for the playoffs, after which suffered the worst postseason loss (38-3) in program historical past. 

The outcomes have been, in a vacuum, positive. It is a completely regular two-year stretch for a run-of-the-mill faculty soccer program, and maybe even an above-average faculty soccer program. It is good. Actually good. 

However Alabama doesn’t see itself as a run-of-the-mill faculty soccer program. “Good” and “actually good” usually are not the usual that’s set right here. It expects championships. In two years, DeBoer has not gotten near that degree. 

He nonetheless would possibly, and he joined Alabama after taking Washington to the nationwide championship sport in his last yr with the Huskies. That at the least exhibits he’s completely able to reaching that stage and that degree. Alabama is taking an enormous guess that he’ll get there once more.