Catena Media provides exclusive sports betting content to AL.com, including picks, analysis, tools and sportsbook offers to help bettors get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.

Alabama fans can finally stop checking their phones for updates on who the Crimson Tide’s next head coach will be, as a deal with Washington’s Kalen DeBoer has been finalized.

The rumor mill instantly began swirling in the aftermath of Nick Saban’s retirement. Coaches like Dan Lanning, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Lane Kiffin, and others came to the forefront.

Instead, athletic director Greg Byrne looked to Seattle for the successor of the greatest college football coach of all time. DeBoer is at the height of his career, coming off a CFP semifinal victory over Sarkisian and Texas before falling short against Michigan in the national championship.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that Washington athletic director Troy Dannen didn’t let DeBoer leave without one final push to keep him in the Pacific Northwest. Dannen made DeBoer a final offer that would more than double his annual salary and make him a top 10 highest-paid coach.

DeBoer declined and is now packing his bags for Tuscaloosa.

Get to know Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer

DeBoer is 49 years old and was born in Milbank, South Dakota. He had a successful playing career at the University of Sioux Falls, where he set multiple school records as a wide receiver.

He would return to Sioux Falls as a head coach and win three NAIA National Championships in the late 2000s. From 2010 to 2019, DeBoer had stints as an offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Indiana.

Kalen went back to Fresno State in 2020 for his first FBS head coaching gig and had a 12-6 record with the Bulldogs in two seasons. The first of which was the shortened Covid year.

Then came another jump to Washington’s head coach in 2022, where he started his career with an 11-2 record. This past season, DeBoer led the Huskies to a 14-1 campaign, including a victory in the Pac-12 Championship and a loss in the CFP National Championship.

DeBoer is responsible for two of Washington’s three 11+ win seasons, dating back to 2000. Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies’ aerial attack improved tenfold when he took over, leading FBS in passing yards per game in 2022 and ranking second this past season.

Unlike most of the names linked to the Alabama opening, DeBoer has no experience in the SEC. However, he’s a proven winner, and time will tell if more success is coming with the Crimson Tide.

Alabama National Championship odds stay steady with DeBoer named head coach

The Crimson Tide’s National Championship odds fell from +600 to +1000 after Saban’s retirement news broke. With DeBoer now leading the program, Alabama’s odds have yet to fluctuate from +1000 at most major sportsbooks, putting the Tide behind Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas.

However, at BetMGM Sportsbook, you’ll find Alabama’s National Championship odds at +550, second-best to Georgia. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Crimson Tide at +750.

More movement could be coming in the next month as players decide whether to ride it out with Kalen or hit the transfer portal. Before the DeBoer news leaked, WR Isaiah Bond jumped into the portal.

Bond was Alabama’s WR2 last season behind Jermaine Burton, but with Burton entering the NFL Draft, Bond was likely to become Jalen Milroe’s top target in 2024. Bond is the only player to leave the team following Saban’s retirement.

Think you know Alabama and Auburn football? Play the AL.com Prop Bet Showdown for a chance to win prizes!

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.