NIL
Alabama Fans Get Bad News On Potential Kalen DeBoer Firing
Alabama fans are getting some bad news on a potential Kalen DeBoer firing.
The Crimson Tide opened the 2025 college football season ranked No. 8 in the country. Alabama took on unranked Florida State to begin the year. The Crimson Tide fell to the Seminoles, 31-17, in a game that was never really close. Mike Norvell’s Seminoles controlled the game from the start, pulling off a major upset. Alabama, which missed the College Football Playoff last year, opens up its 2025 campaign – Year 2 under DeBoer – with a disappointing loss.
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“Fire DeBoer” was trending throughout the contest, but could the Crimson Tide actually make that move?
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Kalen DeBoer of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The answer is no.
Alabama fans got some bad news on a potential Kalen DeBoer firing following the Crimson Tide’s loss to Florida State. It’s not happening – not yet, anyway.
DeBoer’s buyout is way too big
If Alabama were to fire head coach Kalen DeBoer right now, it would cost the school close to $70 million. The Crimson Tide would owe DeBoer roughly $69 million if they were to fire the former Washington Huskies head coach today.
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In today’s world of college sports, that’s not happening. DeBoer has the second-highest buyout in all of college football right now, trailing only Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. Earlier this year, Alabama’s athletic director was taking to social media, to try to raise money for the athletic program, to help pay more in NIL for student-athletes.
You’re not firing your head football coach and paying him $70 million when that’s happening, are you?
“Kalen DeBoer is almost impossible to fire this year. Buyout near $70 million … PLUS the roughly $21 million in salary cap that’s new … PLUS continuation of NIL deals … PLUS would need to pay a new coach … PLUS coordinator buyouts + new coordinators paid,” longtime Alabama insider Bama Perspective wrote.
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Alabama will have to stick with its head coach for the time being and hope for a major turnaround.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 31, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.