Kalen DeBoer is expected to be named the new head coach at Alabama, replacing the legendary Nick Saban.

It won’t be easy to replace the GOAT, who won 7 total national championships and 6 with the Crimson Tide. But DeBoer has been a winner everywhere he’s been. He led Washington to a Pac-12 title and finished as the runner up to Michigan in the College Football Playoff this season.

Can he win it all in Tuscaloosa? That will be the expectation. But before he signs on the dotted line at Alabama, the Crimson Tide will have to cut Washington a check:

While $12 million might seem like a large number for a buyout, in today’s college football, especially at a program like Alabama, that’s nothing. If AD Greg Byrne believes DeBoer is the right guy to replace Saban, Alabama will write the $12 million check with a smile.

DeBoer and his offensive staff transformed QB Michael Penix Jr. into a Heisman finalist. He also helped develop a great group of receivers led by likely 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze. Can he do the same with Alabama’s Jalen Milroe?

Will Washington OC Jimmy Grubb follow DeBoer to Tuscaloosa? We’ll see what the future holds, but for now, the $12 million buyout shouldn’t be a major obstacle for the Tide to land their guy.