HAPPENING: Mike Vorel: Was it a mistake for Kalen DeBoer to leave the Washington Huskies for Alabama?
Here’s a deeper dive into Mike Vorel’s question: Was it a mistake for Kalen DeBoer to leave Washington for Alabama?
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🏆 Legendary Two-Year Run at Washington
During his two seasons at Washington (2022–2023), DeBoer achieved remarkable success:
Posted a 25–3 record, including a flawless 9–0 mark in Pac‑12 play.
Captured the Pac‑12 title and a bid to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Took the Huskies to a Sugar Bowl victory over Texas, narrowly falling to Michigan 34–13 .
He built a cohesive roster around Michael Penix Jr. and a stable core, earning Pac‑12 Coach of the Year twice and numerous national coaching honors .
DeBoer’s departure was abrupt—public reports suggested Washington officials and players found out via news outlets before he addressed his team . That did not sit well with the Husky community.
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Why the Move to Alabama?
Alabama represented the pinnacle of college football greatness, with:
Elite facilities, recruiting resources, and NIL backing.
A platform to compete for national titles annually.
The opportunity to succeed Nick Saban, the most decorated coach in FBS history .
DeBoer himself described the role as “the opportunity of a lifetime,” joining one of the sport’s most lauded coaching traditions .
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Early Stumbles in Tuscaloosa
However, the transition hasn’t been seamless. In his first season (2024), Alabama has already lost more games under DeBoer than he did in two seasons at UW—including shocking defeats to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma . Through 13 games, Alabama finished 9–4, a marked drop from its historical expectations .
These early losses underscore the intense expectations in the SEC: eight wins, normal elsewhere, can be seen as “fireable offense” in Tuscaloosa .
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Was It a Mistake?
🔍 Too soon to tell definitively.
✅ Pros:
Elevated salary (~$10‑11M/yr, with a top‑5 P5 coaching paycheck) .
Access to top-tier recruiting and elite program standards.
The challenge of carrying on Saban’s powerful legacy.
❌ Cons:
Instant comparisons to Saban mean less patience and zero tolerance for setbacks.
Departing a stable, ascending roster at UW cut that program’s momentum.
Risk of early underperformance impacting credibility and recruiting.
As Vorel frames it: DeBoer left a polished house in Seattle, only to walk into the furnace of expectations in Alabama. A slip-up against Vanderbilt or Oklahoma translates into outsized scrutiny.
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Final Verdict 🎯
It wasn’t a reckless mistake, but it certainly was a daring gamble. DeBoer is chasing long-term legacy and opportunity—but at great risk. The first-year turbulence highlights how every misstep is amplified in Tuscaloosa. Only sustained success over the next few seasons will determine if the move was visionary or premature. As Vorel notes: **“It’s too early to tell, but as losses mount, it’s easy to consider what could have been.”**
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If you’re a college football fan, this storyline is one to watch closely—DeBoer’s path at Alabama will shape not just his reputation, but the program’s future.