Kalen DeBoer shares the challenge of leaving his Washington players: 'By far the hardest part'

Kalen DeBoer couldn’t pass up the opportunity and challenge of Alabama but knew it’d be difficult to leave Washington.

A player’s coach, that’s exactly what DeBoer cited when it came to what could’ve held him at Washington. But Alabama doesn’t come calling often and when the school offers, you listen and you listen well.

Still, it was a decision DeBoer had to weigh for him and his family to move cross country after two years out west.

“Coach Saban retires and … I get (the) notice that Greg Byrne would like to talk and so the next day, we got together,” DeBoer said on Next Up. “I really kind of had to decide that and for the most part, just, you know, making sure me and my family were good with that piece of it as far as if I got offered the opportunity and the next morning, mid morning, late morning, got offered the job. I had to make a decision there quickly because I knew Greg had to move rather quickly with just everything that was going on.” 

Kalen DeBoer cherishes time at Washington, but Alabama a new beginning

DeBoer elevated Washington to new heights in 2023, leading the Huskies to a Pac-12 title and the College Football Playoff. With a win over Texas, DeBoer and Washingotn played for a national title against Mcihgian.

Although they fell short, DeBoer will always have fond memories of Washington.

“Washington was amazing,” DeBoer said. “The people there are amazing, will always be that way. My family was just embraced in every way. We loved it there. And we’ll cherish our times, I mean it really (was the best two) years of my life coaching. And I think because of the age of my kids and just where we were at and them understanding what we’re going through. We just had a great time as a family, the staff, amazing staff and of course, the players are the ones that it all revolves around. And what they did and so you know, that was by far the hardest part. It’s been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

But the new challenge for DeBoer is keeping Alabama at the same level it was under Saban. Easier said than done of course.

In the expanded SEC, Alabama has more than Georgia, Ole Miss and LSU to worry about for instance. Texas and Oklahoma are here to play.

But, Alabama felt it found the right man in DeBoer to keep the success rolling.