Kalen DeBoer, the coach of Alabama, will earn $10.875 million yearly

Alabama first-year coach Karen DeBoer will earn an average annual salary of $10.875 million, placing her among the top five highest-paid coaches in college football in the nation.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved his eight-year contract on Monday. DeBoer will receive $10 million in the first year of the agreement, which runs through December 31, 2031. Over the course of the agreement, his salary will rise by $250,000 annually to $11.75 million.

If DeBoer were fired without cause, there would be no mitigation and his contract would be 90% guaranteed. If he were to leave Alabama prior to the expiration of his contract, he would be entitled to a $5 million buyout in 2024, $4 million in 2025, $3 million in 2026, and nothing from 2027 through 2031.

Industry sources said that DeBoer’s average pay is the fourth highest of any college football head coach. Averaging $11.5 million in salary annually, Dabo Swinney of Clemson is the highest paid player. The yearly salary of Kirby Smart of Georgia and Lincoln Riley of USC exceeds $11 million as well. After Texas’ Steve Sarkisian ($10.64 million) and Florida State’s Mike Norvell ($10.52 million), DeBoer ($10.875 million) comes in fourth.

Mr. Sarkisian and Mr.Norvell both agreed to new contractsworthmorethan $10 million in January,whenMr. DeBoer tookover.DeBoerearned $4.2 million last season in Washington,whereheled the Huskies to the national championship game. Washington athletic director Troy Dunnensaid he offered DeBoer $9.4 million after the Sugar Bowl, but DeBoer rejected the offer to replace Nick SabanasAlabama’scoach.

After winning six national titles in 17 seasons at Alabama, Saban announced his retirement on January 10. His 2024 salary was set at $11.5 million.

More Alabama assistant coach salary news: Defensive coordinator Kane Womack will make $1.55 million in 2024, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan will make $1.35 million, assistant offensive coordinator/receivers coach JaMarcus Shepard will make $1.1 million. , assistant head coach/defensive coach Freddie Roach will make $1 million, strength coach David Ballou $950,000, assistant head coach/running backs coach Robert Gillespie $850,000, assistant defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Morris Linguist $875,000, offensive line coach Chris Kapilovich $875,000, outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson $650,000, co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Colin Hitchler $625,000, tight ends coach Brian Ellis for $550,000, general manager Courtney Morgan for $500,000 and special teams coordinator Jay Nunez for $250,000.