Where Kalen DeBoer ranks among highest-paid college football coaches after signing new seven-year contract

Kalen DeBoer's paychecks will look a little fuller in 2026 and beyond.

Alabama's oft-discussed football coach has faced questions regarding his job security for much of the past year. On Wednesday, he got some reassurance that his efforts as Crimson Tide play-caller are not going unnoticed. DeBoer inked a seven-year, $87.5 million contract extension, not only cementing his status as one of college football's most famous coaches -- but also one of its richest.

DeBoer now sits in the upper echelon of tacticians in terms of pay, only trailing a pair of national champions -- Curt Cignetti and Kirby Smart -- and Lane Kiffin in terms of annual salary.

With that, here's a look at the numbers behind DeBoer's impressive contract, as well as how it compares to other prominent names in the coaching landscape.

MORE: Why Ohio State is the clear-cut preseason No. 1

Kalen DeBoer contract details

• Years: Seven
• Value: $87.5 million

DeBoer fetched quite the deal with his extension, seeing his average annual salary leap from the $10.5 million mark he commanded when he first joined the Crimson Tide in 2024 to $12.5 million.

By comparison, DeBoer was slated to take home $11.75 million in the final year of his previous contract.

The bumper contact is effectively a stamp approval for DeBoer, whose has proven a polarizing figure since swapping Washington for Alabama ahead of the 2025 season. Speculation over DeBoer’s future ran rife following the Crimson Tide’s shock defeat to Florida State.

However, Alabama righted the ship, pinching a ticket to the College Football Playoff after downing Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee in consecutive games.

Kalen DeBoer buyout

Highest-paid coaches in college football

DeBoer already sat comfortably among college football’s wealthiest coaches. With his newest contract, he entrenches himself among the game’s elite — at least as far as bank accounts are concerned.

Here’s a look at the highest-paid coaches in college football in 2026.