Kalen DeBoer has been at the center of two big stories this offseason. Alabama handed him a seven-year, $87.5 million contract extension. And questions about whether he was eyeing the Michigan job before that have not gone away.

Paul Finebaum addressed both on The Paul Finebaum Show. He said what most people in college football were already thinking. Alabama moved fast on that extension because they were worried about losing DeBoer to Michigan.

"I mean, Saban's an employee, as you pointed out, I forgot that it's only $500,000, but who cares?" Finebaum said on the same show. "I mean, he essentially confirmed that. So, which brings me to DeBoer. I'm not around him like you are. He does have an interesting way of approaching things, but why not just admit it? What's the big deal?"

Finebaum pointed to Nick Saban, who is still employed by Alabama. Saban had essentially confirmed the Michigan interest in his own comments. Finebaum argued that if Saban already said it, there is no reason for DeBoer to keep dodging the question.

DeBoer has stayed quiet on the Michigan situation entirely. He has not confirmed or denied anything publicly.

The contract itself drew attention for a different reason, too. DeBoer is 20-8 at Alabama across two seasons. He has not won the SEC. His only CFP appearance ended in a 38-3 loss to Indiana in the quarterfinals.

Alabama is paying roughly $87.5 million for a coach with one CFP appearance and no conference title. The university is also on the hook for approximately 90% of the remaining salary if they fire him without cause.

Finebaum was not calling for DeBoer to be fired. His point was simpler than that. A contract this large, given after a below-standard two seasons, deserves an honest explanation from the coach about what actually drove it.

DeBoer now goes into 2026 with massive expectations attached to this deal.

What DeBoer did at Washington that made Alabama believe in him

Before Alabama, DeBoer went 25-3 at Washington across two seasons and took the Huskies to the national championship game, per SI. That run is what convinced Alabama he was worth pursuing in the first place.

Washington is a solid program, but it is not operating at the same level as Tuscaloosa. Making a title game from there was impressive enough to grab Alabama's attention.

The extension was not about what DeBoer has done in two years at Alabama. It was about what the administration believes he can still do.

Do you think Kalen DeBoer will win an SEC title at Alabama before his contract runs out? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore