The Alabama Crimson Tide and director of athletics Greg Byrne made the decision earlier this month to extend head coach Kalen DeBoer after a hiring cycle in which he was pursued by multiple Big 10 programs for their open vacancies.

While the DeBoer extension and subsequent increased buyout numbers are of course a bit of a calculated risk, the move has the stamp of approval from DeBoer’s predecessor Nick Saban.

During his media availability at the Drummond Company Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am at Greystone Country Club in Birmingham, Saban praised the decision to extend DeBoer and said that this was the reality Alabama was facing if it wanted to lock up its coach.

“Coaching is a competitive field just like playing is a competitive field,” Saban said. “And I think Kalen had a lot of opportunities. And I think if Alabama wanted to keep him, they needed to do what they needed to do to keep him.”

Saban went on to talk about how if DeBoer had left, they would have been starting from scratch when it comes to the makeup of a roster, citing how many guys left for the transfer portal when he announced his retirement.

“I’m happy that he’s the coach,” Saban said. “And I think you know, if coaches change now, how much does your roster change? I think when I retired, I think 26 players moved, which was hard for the next coach, whoever it was, to overcome. And I think they’ve done a pretty good job of making that transition.”

DeBoer himself also spoke about his extension, expressing gratitude to the University for having faith in him.

“I’m just happy,” DeBoer said. “I’m blessed to have a university and I can’t thank [athletic director] Greg Byrne and our trustees and president enough. You know, love being here at Alabama and looking forward to many more great years.”