Kalen DeBoer isn’t going anywhere-at least, not if you take him at his word. The Alabama head coach made that crystal clear on Sunday, issuing a direct and unequivocal statement shutting down the swirling rumors linking him to high-profile coaching vacancies across the college football landscape.
“My family and I are very happy in Tuscaloosa,” DeBoer said, “and remain extremely grateful for the support of President Mohler, Greg Byrne, the board and so many others. I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job. I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama.”
That’s about as firm as it gets. And yet, the questions kept coming.
On Monday, DeBoer was once again asked about his future at Alabama. Rather than sidestepping the topic, he leaned into it, reiterating his loyalty to the Crimson Tide and pulling back the curtain a bit on why he felt the need to go public with his stance in the first place.
“I put a statement out yesterday ‘cause-first of all, our guys handle distractions phenomenally. It's been that way all season long,” DeBoer explained.
“But I also knew that yesterday and today was pretty important. I wasn't gonna see ya until today to address it, so that's why I put that out there.”
He pointed out that this isn’t the first time he’s had to shut down speculation. A few weeks back, similar questions surfaced, and his answer then was the same as it is now: he’s not going anywhere.
“Feel completely supported, my family loves living here, just all the things that we continue to build on,” DeBoer said. “Love the progress.
Kalen DeBoer asked will he be Alabama’s head coach next season.
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) December 15, 2025
“Haven't talked with anyone, no plans of talking with anyone.” pic.twitter.com/ON7IQfjq7M
Haven’t talked with anyone, no plans of talking with anyone. So, a lot of what I said a couple weeks ago, it continues to be the same thing.
Feel strong about it.”
In a sport where rumors can snowball into distractions in the blink of an eye-especially during playoff prep-DeBoer’s timing makes sense. With Alabama gearing up for a College Football Playoff showdown against No.
8 Oklahoma this Friday night, there’s no room for uncertainty. His message to the team?
I’m here, and I’m locked in.
And from the sound of it, the locker room has handled the noise like veterans.
“Our guys, if there has been any distraction, I haven’t seen it. Haven’t felt it.”
That’s no small thing. The Tide are in the thick of a postseason push, and the last thing a team needs is the kind of swirling speculation that can derail focus. DeBoer’s public reaffirmation of his commitment sends a clear message-not just to fans and media, but to his players: The mission hasn’t changed.
For now, Alabama’s head coach is exactly where he wants to be. And with a playoff game looming, that stability might be just as important as any game plan they draw up for Oklahoma.