Washington Players Blindsided by Kalen DeBoer’s Departure: ‘It’s A Cold World’

Washington players were blindsided by the sudden departure of coach Kalen DeBoer, who accepted the coaching job at Alabama not even one week after the Huskies were defeated by Michigan in the College Football Playoff national championship game. 

DeBoer, who spent two seasons with the Huskies, was presented with a major opportunity in Tuscaloosa after the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. Things moved quickly, as DeBoer seized the opportunity shortly after Washington athletic director Troy Dannen met with him to discuss a new contract Friday morning. 

DeBoer informed Huskies players that he was leaving for Alabama in a team meeting on Friday afternoon. Later that day, Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson went on Instagram Live to explain how shocked he and his teammates were by the sudden move. Here’s video of Jackson, courtesy of Emerald City Sporting News on X, formerly Twitter. 

How UW players learned of Kalen DeBoer's departure for Alabama:

"We in the training room … ESPN kicks on … they talking bout DeBoer finalizing contracts …" #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/sMdAbEjiSw

— Emerald City Sporting News (@ECSN206) January 13, 2024

Jackson spoke about how the Huskies were in the weight room when an ESPN report about DeBoer and his Washington contract aired on television. Another player chimed in, saying that DeBoer “didn’t say anything to anybody,” to which Jackson replied that “it’s a cold world.” 

Jackson and the Huskies players then described the team meeting, which they felt DeBoer only held because he “had to,” with Jackson claiming that his coach wasn’t clear with his intention to take the new job while speaking to the players. 

Washington president Ana Mari Cauce released a statement Friday saying the university was ”disappointed” that DeBoer chose to leave. Judging by Jackson’s comments, he—and other players—are not happy with how their coach chose to handle the situation.