Heartbreak News Now: The Washington Nationals head coach and two players have announced their departure from the team.
Its roster includes the likely future quarterback, with many players heading to the NFL draft and others already declaring they’re going to the transfer portal.
After a disastrous week for Washington, Kalen DeBoer left the university on Friday to accept the head coaching position at Alabama and the opportunity to succeed Nick Saban as the Crimson Tide’s head coach.
DeBoer turned over the chance to sign a lucrative new deal with the Huskies in favor of the chance to run one of the best schools in the nation with resources and prestige that incoming athletic director Troy Dannen of Washington couldn’t match.
But in doing so, DeBoer left a team that would face significant obstacles and an unclear future as it prepared to enter the Big Ten for the upcoming season.
Its roster includes the likely future quarterback, with many players heading to the NFL draft and others already declaring they’re going to the transfer portal.
After a disastrous week for Washington, Kalen DeBoer left the university on Friday to accept the head coaching position at Alabama and the opportunity to succeed Nick Saban as the Crimson Tide’s head coach.
DeBoer turned over the chance to sign a lucrative new deal with the Huskies in favor of the chance to run one of the best schools in the nation with resources and prestige that incoming athletic director Troy Dannen of Washington couldn’t match.
But in doing so, DeBoer left a team that would face significant obstacles and an unclear future as it prepared to enter the Big Ten for the upcoming season.
with a roster that, by the time a new coach is appointed, is subject to dissection.
Cutting-edge rusher Zion Tuputola-Fetui said on social media on Friday, “There are moments when we need to be reminded that this is all business.”
Dannen released a statement on Friday night, saying, “We are sad to see him leave, and we did everything we could to keep Kalen at UW.”
With a 14-1 season that included a national title game, it’s difficult to pinpoint any negatives. Despite Michigan’s 34-13 victory on Monday, there were still hopes that Washington would mount one more comeback and capture the school’s first championship since 1991, even in the early minutes of the fourth quarter.
However, the season’s success increased DeBoer’s visibility.
even making Alabama’s short list when Saban made the decision to resign. When you consider that Dannen was only hired in October and is new to Seattle, the situation becomes one in which DeBoer could leave for a high-profile position.
When DeBoer took over a 4–8 program after being hired by former AD Jen Cohen, none of that was anticipated. The rapid improvement over the previous two years instilled a wild excitement among supporters who thought DeBoer would become the next Don James, a player who would frequently bring up Washington in national discourse.
Instead, he’s going to the Southeastern Conference, and whoever takes over after him is going to have a tough task in light of Washington’s impending Big Ten membership.
even making Alabama’s short list when Saban made the decision to resign. When you consider that Dannen was only hired in October and is new to Seattle, the situation becomes one in which DeBoer could leave for a high-profile position.
Numerous players with professional careers were expected to be part of the exodus following Washington’s national title run. And it has, as evidenced by the NFL draft declarations made by players like Dillon Johnson, Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Bralen Trice. Additionally, the Huskies will not have quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.
Some key players to Washington’s success this season announced their intention to use the transfer site shortly after the DeBoer news broke. Additionally, a few of Washington’s future are currently uncertain, as the portal’s anticipated reinforcements claim that their commitment has been reopened. This includes Tre Watson, the tight end, Ethan Barr, and quarterback Will Rogers, who was supposed to replace Penix.
Filling the void quickly would be the simplest way for Washington to avert any possible wave of resignations or decommitments and try to build on this season. External candidates will include Jedd Fisch of Arizona, Matt Campbell of Iowa State, and Lance Leipold of Kansas. If he doesn’t follow DeBoer, Ryan Grubb will be the clear choice within the organization. JaMarcus Shephard ought to be given the same respect.
However, after less than a week, it’s a far different environment from what Washington had anticipated before leaving Houston’s field.
“Given our recent success, our impending admission to the Big Ten, our ardent supporters and fanbase, and a top-tier university, we have one of the best head coaching jobs in all of college football,” Dannen remarked.
