Football season is in full swing, and while fans are eagerly snapping up season tickets and spring football drills continue, there’s another bit of news buzzing around the Washington Husky athletics scene. While the Husky baseball team is having a solid season and the softball team continues to impress not only with their play but also their academic achievements, there’s something else worth talking about regarding the football program.
Kalen DeBoer and Steve Sarkisian: Two Former UW Coaches Making Big Money Elsewhere
Here’s an interesting tidbit: a couple of former Washington Huskies head coaches have landed themselves among the highest-paid college football coaches in the country. The names of Kalen DeBoer and Steve Sarkisian should be familiar to any Husky fan, especially considering their past tenures at UW and their recent success at other programs.
Let’s dive into the careers of both coaches, and why they are now sitting atop the college football pay scale.
Kalen DeBoer’s Big Payday After Taking Over at Alabama
Kalen DeBoer, who coached the Washington Huskies from 2022-2023, signed a truly remarkable contract when he took over as head coach for Alabama, one of college football’s most storied programs. After Nick Saban’s retirement, the Crimson Tide were in search of someone who could quickly step in and continue the legacy of success that Alabama fans have come to expect. Despite DeBoer’s first season being considered somewhat underwhelming, going 9-4 with a team packed with talent, the university clearly sees him as a long-term solution to maintain their dominance.
DeBoer, whose coaching career began with a solid track record at places like Fresno State before he joined Washington, secured a contract reportedly worth $10 million annually. According to 247Sports, this pay places him among the highest-paid coaches in the country, tied at No. 6. It’s an eye-watering salary, especially considering the high expectations that come with coaching a program like Alabama. In his first season, though, he faced frustration from fans who were expecting a more immediate return on their investment, considering the caliber of players at his disposal.
DeBoer’s story is also one of resilience. After a somewhat rocky start in his coaching career, he became known for his offensive prowess, quickly transforming Washington into one of the more high-powered teams in the country, earning him the Alabama job. Now, it’ll be fascinating to see if he can meet the massive expectations and secure long-term success at Alabama.
Steve Sarkisian’s Success at Texas and His Contract
Meanwhile, Steve Sarkisian, who previously led Washington from 2009-2013 before heading to Southern California, is now in his third year at Texas. Sarkisian has had his share of ups and downs at the helm of the Longhorns, but it’s been mostly positive, even though his team hasn’t made it as far as some might expect, including falling short in recent College Football Playoff appearances.
However, the Texas program, which is also rich with tradition, didn’t hesitate to hand Sarkisian a lucrative deal. Sarkisian’s annual salary currently sits at $10.6 million, making him the No. 4 highest-paid coach in the nation. This hefty paycheck reflects the enormous expectations that come with coaching at a high-profile school like Texas, which has a history of success and fervent fan support.
While Sarkisian has undoubtedly made strides with the Longhorns—especially after a rocky first season—he’s still working to prove that his coaching success can translate into consistent results at Texas. In fact, one of his most memorable playoff losses came at the hands of DeBoer’s Washington Huskies, proving the competitiveness between these two former UW coaches. With Texas preparing to join the SEC, Sarkisian’s next few years will be critical as the program transitions into a new era.
The Impact of High Salaries on Program Expectations
It’s not just the large paychecks that make these two coaches noteworthy. The immense pressure that comes with these contracts is equally significant. Both DeBoer and Sarkisian are coaching in environments that demand immediate success, and the pressure from fans and boosters is only heightened by their lucrative salaries.
For DeBoer, coaching at Alabama means competing in one of the most competitive conferences in college football, the SEC, where every season is a battle for national championship contention. His first season was a reminder of how difficult it is to meet those expectations, even when you inherit a team stacked with talent. If DeBoer doesn’t get things on track quickly, the backlash could be significant, especially considering the size of his paycheck.
Sarkisian, similarly, has his work cut out for him in the Big 12 and, soon, the SEC. The Longhorns’ return to elite form has been a topic of conversation for years, and while Sarkisian has had some solid seasons, the fact that Texas hasn’t made a deep playoff run yet will surely keep fans and media on edge. Given the program’s rich history and high-profile recruits, Sarkisian will need to show that he can consistently win at the highest level to justify his massive salary.
Looking Ahead: How Long Will They Stay at the Top?
As both coaches continue their journeys at their new schools, it will be interesting to watch how things evolve. DeBoer’s future at Alabama will hinge on his ability to live up to the lofty expectations set for him, and Sarkisian’s future at Texas will be heavily influenced by whether or not he can bring consistent success to the Longhorns. Both men have already shown they have the chops to lead top-tier programs, but whether they can keep up with the relentless pressure of high-dollar coaching contracts remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Washington fans can watch the success of these two former Huskies head coaches with a mix of pride and curiosity. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that they were leading the Huskies to national prominence, and now they’re among the highest-paid figures in college football.
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