College football has had quite an opening Week 1 slate of games, and the biggest story may be a top-10 team going down in the most notable upset of the weekend. One college football powerhouse was favored by 14 points heading into their Week 1 matchup but ended up being defeated by 14 points.
No. 8 Alabama had no answers in a hostile road environment as the Crimson Tide were upset 31-17 by Florida State. The blowout loss puts even more heat on Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer in year two.
DeBoer already had his hands full following legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban in 2024. The Crimson Tide finished the season 9-4, while narrowly missing the College Football Playoff.
Nick Saban was 131-2 Kalen DeBoer is 4-4
Yet, it is the losses that has Bama fans’ attention.
Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer Signed an 8-Year, $87 Million Contract in 2024
Alabama’s most surprising loss last season came as Vanderbilt upset the Tide on October 5. Bama took another surprising loss on November 23 as Oklahoma handed the Crimson Tide a 24-3 blowout loss.
DeBoer is under even more scrutiny following the underwhelming opener against Florida State. According to USA Today, DeBoer signed a massive eight-year, $87 million contract with Alabama to leave Washington in 2024.
“Nick Saban coached 230 games at Alabama – he had four losses to unranked teams during that stretch,” Fox Sports’ Aaron Torres pointed out in an August 30, 2025, message on X. “Kalen Deboer has coached 14 games at Alabama – and just lost his fourth game to an unranked opponent.”
Pressure Is Mounting on Kalen DeBoer After a String of Alabama Losses to Unranked Opponents During His Short Tenure
The Bama coach is just starting year two in Tuscaloosa, but fans are already growing frustrated with his tenure. Fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with DeBoer.
🐘Losses to unranked teams under Nick Saban (17 seasons): 4 🐘Losses to unranked teams under Kalen DeBoer (1 season & 1 game): 4
“Bringing a Big 10 coach into the SEC thinking he was going to be the next Saban was a joke,” one fan noted.
“Teams tend to reflect the level of intensity of their coaches. Deboer has no intensity,” another added.
“I think it’s time to show Deboer DaDoor,” one person reacted.
“This guy is completely lost in the SEC,” said another.
Kalen DeBoer’s $63 Million Buyout Makes It Nearly Impossible for Alabama to Fire the Coach
Despite the mounting frustration, the idea that Alabama would move on from DeBoer as the coach begins his second season is a stretch. DeBoer’s buyout makes it nearly impossible for Bama to move on from the head coach anytime soon.
According to CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford, DeBoer’s buyout is estimated to be $63 million, one of the highest in college football.
“Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has one of college football’s largest buyouts this season at approximately $63 million following a multi-year contract he signed in January 2024 to succeed Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide,” Crawford wrote in an August 30, story titled, “Kalen DeBoer buyout: What it would cost Alabama to move on from embattled coach after Florida State loss.”
“… If DeBoer is fired ‘without cause,’ he would earn 90% of his remaining deal in monthly installments through the end of his contract term. He’s currently eight months into the second year of his deal, which would mean his buyout if he’s fired during the regular season is just about $63 million (90% of the remaining amount). If he’s fired on Dec. 1, 2025, it would be approximately $60 million.”
DeBoer’s salary tops at least $10 million in every year of his sizable deal with Alabama.
$87 Million College Football Coach Under Fire After Massive Upset on Saturday