Washington's Kalen DeBoer Cancels Local Radio Interview amid Alabama Coaching Rumors

Amid rumors that he could be the next head football coach at the University of Alabama, Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer canceled a scheduled radio appearance Friday in Seattle.

DeBoer had been set to appear on Chuck and Buck in the Morning, but 93.3 KJR posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the spot would have to be rescheduled:

Multiple reports have linked DeBoer to Alabama in the wake of longtime head coach Nick Saban's retirement this week, including one from Kennington Smith III and Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, noting that DeBoer, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell and Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees have emerged as the top three candidates for the job.

The 49-year-old DeBoer has been one of the fastest-rising coaching stars in college football in recent years, dating back to his first FBS head coaching job with Fresno State.

DeBoer went 12-6 in two seasons at Fresno State, including a 9-3 mark in 2021, which led to him getting hired as the new head coach at Washington ahead of the 2022 campaign.

In 2021, the Huskies performed well below expectations, going just 4-8, which was their worst record since going 0-12 in 2008. They also failed to qualify for a bowl after a full season of play for the first time since 2009.

Enter DeBoer, who turned things around quickly, as Washington went 11-2 and won the Alamo Bowl after the 2022 season.

DeBoer, who has an offensive background and was offensive coordinator at several different schools, seemingly played a major role in what was a breakout season for quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

With DeBoer guiding him, Penix threw for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2022. He was even better in 2023, throwing for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 picks en route to a second-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Penix's play was the driving force behind Washington going 14-1, winning the Pac-12 title and beating Texas in the Sugar Bowl en route to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

DeBoer and the Huskies fell short of the national title in a 34-13 loss to the Michigan Wolverines, but they far exceeded expectations nonetheless.

Saban was the head coach at Alabama for 17 seasons and he enjoyed enormous success, going 201-29 and winning six national championships and nine SEC titles.

Bama lost early in the 2023 season to Texas, but Saban rallied the troops and led the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship Game win over previously undefeated Georgia to get into the CFP.

The Tide nearly went the distance, but they fell in overtime to Michigan in the CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

While DeBoer is building something special at Washington, Alabama is essentially the best job imaginable in college football, and it is a move he has to at least consider if he is offered the position.