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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Patrick Andres

College Football World Reacts to Alabama’s Reported Hiring of Kalen DeBoer

It's a new era at Alabama.

The Crimson Tide reportedly are expected to hire Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to succeed Nick Saban, who retired Wednesday after one of the most illustrious coaching careers in the history of North American sports. DeBoer comes to Alabama on the heels of a successful 2023 season with the Huskies, who he guided to the Pac-12 title, the Sugar Bowl and the national championship.

The hire is a bit outside the box, as the native of Milbank, S.D., has never coached south of the Mason-Dixon line. However, DeBoer's coaching chops are not in question, and his hire produced a wide variety of reactions from college football observers and fans.

Many recalled college football's last significant north-to-south coaching move.

Agent Jimmy Sexton received widespread praise for his shrewd handling of Saban's retirement.

Some recalled DeBoer's meteoric rise from NAIA Sioux Falls, where he won a trio of national championships.

Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad expressed gratitude to his coach.

Huskies observers were left to shake their heads in disbelief, with one noting the hilarity of perennially embattled men's basketball coach Mike Hopkins outlasting DeBoer.

ESPN's Robert Griffin III heaped praise on DeBoer.

Fans had some fun with the coach's presumed newness to the south.

Though naturally skeptical as to whether DeBoer can replicate Saban's success, Crimson Tide fans appeared willing to give him a chance.

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