Three of the four head coaches in the most recent College Football Playoff are no longer with their schools. Nick Saban retired from Alabama. Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh made his long-awaited return to the NFL. Both departures were seismic news events, teased 48 hours before their teams met in the Rose Bowl, and generally accepted by the fan bases in Tuscaloosa and Ann Arbor. The third coach to leave his program, however, went a little differently.

Kalen DeBoer’s decision to take over the Crimson Tide shocked some and hurt others. Tears muddled DeBoer’s introductory press conference with Alabama when he thanked Washington. Still, the modern economics of college football upset fans — some even considering it a win when Ryan Grubb departed UA for the Seattle Seahawks.

At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, some of Washington’s 10 invitees, a program record, told AL.com what they felt about DeBoer’s exit.

“I got nothing but love in my heart for DeBoer. Obviously, I’m not on the team currently and him leaving doesn’t affect me as much. Maybe it could’ve been a little more transparent in that whole process, but it’s a hard process to go through. A lot of money being juggled around,” edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui said. “I understand. I think a little bit more communication with the players while it was happening but it happened in like four days, you know what I mean? So I don’t hold it against him.”

DeBoer rejected two contract offers from Washington. Both were substantial raises above his $4.2 million salary, landing at $9.4 million annually, according to The Seattle Times. While the University hasn’t released DeBoer’s Alabama contract, some accounting by AL.com’s Michael Casagrande confirms reports that DeBoer’s salary likely will land at around $10 million per season.

DeBoer arrived in Washington in 2022 after two years at Fresno State. The Huskies went 25-3, including a Sugar Bowl win and Pac-12 championship. DeBoer earned multiple national awards, including winning the Associated Press’s conference coach of the year in both seasons. A career winner wanted a new challenge, propelling him to one of the toughest job assignments the sport has seen in years. And days after his Huskies lost a national title, DeBoer called a team meeting to confirm the rumors.

“I think people gotta remember what he did for Washington,” tight end Jack Westover said. “He took over a 4-8 team. … He was our third head coach in four years and he helped lead us. He helped bring back winning culture and I think that’s what we need to remember him for.”

Added wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk: “Man, Coach DeBoer, that’s a legend. He’s a winner, that’s what he does so I’m excited to see what his next step goes for him and I know he’s gonna do great things just like Coach Grubb.”

Polk, quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and pass catcher Rome Odunze powered an elite Huskies offense and will get a chance to impress scouts in person Friday in Lucas Oil Stadium. Former Alabama players Jermaine Burton and Jase McClellan are also scheduled to compete.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].