When you're coaching at Alabama, the expectations are sky-high - and unless you've got six national titles like Nick Saban, the seat under you is always warm. That’s the reality Kalen DeBoer stepped into. But by steering the Crimson Tide into the College Football Playoff in his first season, DeBoer has done more than just steady the ship - he’s kept it cruising at championship speed.
Still, in the world of college football, success doesn’t always quiet the rumors. Despite DeBoer’s early accomplishments in Tuscaloosa, whispers about his long-term future with the program haven’t gone away. Some even suggest he might not stick around - not because of performance issues, but because he might choose to leave on his own terms.
And if DeBoer were to look elsewhere? Michigan makes a lot of sense.
The Wolverines, fresh off their own high-profile coaching transition, are still in the mix for a permanent replacement. On Monday, DeBoer appeared to shut down any talk of interest in the Michigan job.
But not everyone is convinced it’s a closed case. ESPN’s Heather Dinich, speaking on Get Up, made it clear she’s not ready to rule out the possibility.
“I will put an end to the speculation when the coaching search ends,” Dinich said. “Do you remember Lincoln Riley standing up at the podium and saying, ‘I will not be the head coach at LSU’?
And then, 24 hours later, he was the head coach at USC. I realize it’s a different situation, but if Alabama loses to Oklahoma… I am going for Kalen DeBoer, because he would be the best option.”
It’s a fair point - college football has a long memory when it comes to surprise coaching moves. And while Dinich acknowledged that Jedd Fisch, who succeeded DeBoer at Washington, might be the more realistic candidate for Michigan, DeBoer’s name remains at the top of a lot of wish lists.
So what’s the tipping point? It could be Friday night.
If Alabama beats Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff, it’s hard to imagine DeBoer going anywhere. But a loss?
That’s where things get interesting. If Michigan is truly eyeing DeBoer, they’ll be watching that game closely - and maybe even pulling for the Sooners.
Alabama and Oklahoma square off Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC. The stakes are already massive - a trip to the national title game is on the line - but for some programs, the ripple effects of this matchup could stretch far beyond the scoreboard.