Alabama is nearing a hire to replace Nick Saban.

According to reporting from ESPN’s Chris Low and Mark Schlabach, the Crimson Tide are in negotiations with Washington’s Kalen DeBoer over a contract to make him the program’s next head coach. A deal is not yet done, according to ESPN.

Washington athletic director Troy Dannen has been working on a contract extension for DeBoer, 49, for more than a month now. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that a possible extension with UW would make DeBoer one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in the FBS. Obviously, Alabama can pay top dollar.

DeBoer would owe Washington a $12 million buyout if he leaves after signing a two-year extension through the 2028 season last year.

According to Seattle radio host Dave Mahler, Washington is expecting DeBoer to leave.

This past season — DeBoer’s second year with the Huskies — he led Washington to a program-record 14 wins, a Pac-12 championship, and a Sugar Bowl win over Texas in the CFP semifinals. UW lost to Michigan in the title game, 34-13.

DeBoer got his head coaching start at Sioux Falls in 2005. There, he won three NAIA National Championships and played for a fourth. After that, he bounced around as an assistant at various jobs before getting the head coaching gig at Fresno State in 2020.

He went 3-3 in his debut season, then went 9-3 in Year 2. He took the head job at Washington in 2022 and immediately ushered in a drastic turnaround. Washington went 4-8 in 2021, then 11-2 with an Alamo Bowl win in 2022.

Over the back half of the 2022 season and the 2023 campaign, Washington won 21 consecutive games.

The Crimson Tide reportedly focused in on Florida State’s Mike Norvell and DeBoer. Norvell announced on Friday he is staying put. Dan Lanning (Oregon) and Steve Sarkisian (Texas) have done the same.