Breaking Down Kalen DeBoer's Alabama Contract Buyout, Details After Upset Loss to FSU

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer could end up on the hot seat if the Crimson Tide continue to struggle following a 31-17 upset loss at the hands of Florida State on Saturday.

DeBoer's contract would need to be bought out if Alabama ends up moving in a different direction at head coach, as the former Washington coach signed an eight-year deal with an average value of $10.875 million per year to join the school in Jan. 2024.

If DeBoer is fired "without cause," he would earn 90 percent of his remaining contract in monthly installments through the end of the terms of his deal (h/t 247Sports' Brad Crawford).

It amounts to $70 million heading into the 2025 season, the third-largest buyout among college coaches.

Alabama's loss to Florida State marked the school's first season-opening defeat since 2001. The Crimson Tide found the end zone first in Saturday's contest, but were outscored 17-0 for the rest of the opening half.

The two-possession deficit was ultimately too much for Alabama to overcome, as Florida State ran out the clock and kept DeBoer's squad at bay by rushing for 230 yards as a team.

Baltimore Ravens cornerback and former Alabama standout Marlon Humphrey was still optimistic despite the final result.

Alabama's remaining schedule features matchups against UL Monroe, Wisconsin, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma, Eastern Illinois and Auburn.

"I choose to believe we got a good football team," DeBoer said following the game, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "But we can't play on our heels. We're not going to be what we think we can be, what we want to be, if that's the case."

If the Crimson Tide can't put the loss behind them and get back on track soon, speculation surrounding DeBoer's job security will continue to increase.