Kalen DeBoer has led Alabama to a College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl. The 51-year-old coach faces the challenge of following Nick Saban, one of college football’s most successful coaches.
DeBoer brings a 57-16 career record from his previous stops at Washington and Fresno State.
But there’s an interesting twist to this Rose Bowl matchup. DeBoer actually coached at Indiana as an assistant before taking over the Crimson Tide program.
DeBoer’s Coaching Journey Before Alabama
DeBoer spent two seasons at Washington, capping his tenure with a remarkable 2023 campaign. The Huskies went 14-1 that season, reaching the CFP national championship before falling to Michigan.
He coached Fresno State from 2020-2021 during his first FBS head coaching stint.
Earlier in his career, DeBoer led Division II Sioux Falls from 2005-09. Between those head coaching positions, he served as an assistant at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State and Indiana.
The Indiana Connection
DeBoer will face his former employer in the Rose Bowl. He spent the 2019 season as Indiana’s offensive coordinator and passing game coordinator under Tom Allen.
That Indiana team finished 8-5 in Allen’s best season as head coach.
DeBoer coached quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr., who later followed him to Washington, and Peyton Ramsey. The Hoosiers averaged 31.8 points per game that season.
College Playing Career
DeBoer played football at Sioux Falls from 1993-96 as a wide receiver. He was part of the school’s 1996 NAIA Division II national championship team.
He also played baseball while earning a degree in secondary education.
Complete Coaching Timeline
2005-2009: Sioux Falls
After starting as an assistant at Washington High School from 1998-99, DeBoer returned to his alma mater. He served as offensive coordinator from 2000-04 before becoming head coach.
DeBoer led Sioux Falls to three NAIA national titles in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
2010-2013: Southern Illinois
DeBoer moved to the FCS level as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Southern Illinois.
2014-2016: Eastern Michigan
His success at Eastern Michigan helped put DeBoer on the radar for bigger opportunities. As offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, he helped transform the Eagles program.
Eastern Michigan made a bowl game in 2016 for just the third time in school history. This came after the program won just one game in 2015.
DeBoer’s 2016 offense set school records with 5,917 total yards.
2017-2018: Fresno State Assistant
Jeff Tedford hired DeBoer as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Bulldogs went 22-6 over two seasons.
His offense ranked 26th nationally, averaging 34.6 points per game.
2019: Indiana Assistant
DeBoer’s final stop as an assistant came at Indiana. The Hoosiers reached the Gator Bowl with their 8-5 record.
Indiana finished third in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 432.8 yards per game.
2020-2021: Fresno State Head Coach
DeBoer returned to Fresno State as head coach, going 12-6 overall. The Bulldogs went 3-3 during the shortened 2020 COVID season, then 9-3 in 2021.
2022-2023: Washington
DeBoer posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons with the Huskies. Washington went 11-2 in 2022, beating Texas in the Alamo Bowl.
The 2023 season saw Washington reach the national championship game with a perfect regular season.
2024-Present: Alabama
DeBoer’s first season in Tuscaloosa had its challenges. Alabama finished 9-4, losing to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl despite early playoff expectations.
The 2025 season looked headed for disappointment after a 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
But the CFP committee included Alabama anyway. The Tide responded by overcoming a 17-0 deficit to beat Oklahoma 34-24 on the road in the first round.
Reaching the playoff semifinals would mark a significant achievement for DeBoer in his second year replacing the legendary Saban.
