Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer Draws Michigan Interest Amid Coaching Carousel, But Crimson Tide Players Stay Locked In
The college football coaching carousel took a surprise spin this week when Michigan parted ways with Sherrone Moore, opening up one of the sport’s premier jobs. And almost immediately, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s name found its way into the conversation.
It’s not hard to see why. DeBoer has built a reputation as one of the sharpest minds in the game, with a résumé that spans from small-school dominance to playoff contention at the Power Five level.
After leading Washington to the national championship game in 2023, DeBoer made the jump to Tuscaloosa and has posted a 19-7 record in his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide. Now, with Alabama set to face Oklahoma in a first-round playoff matchup as the No. 9 seed, the timing of the speculation couldn’t be more inconvenient - at least from the outside looking in.
Inside the Alabama locker room, though? The focus is crystal clear.
“Yeah, of course we see it on TV,” said standout freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams, who earned Freshman All-American honors after hauling in 42 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns. “But he’s given us his best effort here. We’re focused on playing against Oklahoma - we’re not really worried about it.”
Williams doubled down on the team’s mindset, emphasizing the internal culture that DeBoer has helped build.
“At the end of the day, he serves us 100%, and that’s our coach. So we’re going to play for him,” Williams said.
“External noise is external noise. We just focus on the internal.”
It’s a message that seems to have taken root across the roster. Offensive tackle Wilkin Formby acknowledged the chatter but echoed a similar sentiment.
“I’ve seen a couple things on social media,” Formby said. “I try to stay off social media, but it’s everywhere.
I’ve heard stuff, but as far as the truth to that? I don’t really see anything.
He’s the same Coach DeBoer to me. We just had a great practice, so I’m not too sure about all of that.”
This isn’t the first time DeBoer’s name has surfaced during this year’s coaching cycle. He was previously linked to the Penn State opening before the Nittany Lions hired Matt Campbell. At the time, DeBoer publicly shut down the speculation, and so far he hasn’t addressed the Michigan rumors directly.
However, he did speak earlier this month ahead of the SEC Championship, making it clear where he stood - at least then.
“We are extremely happy here,” DeBoer said. “Love the challenge, love the grind, love this place.
There’s never been any link. There’s never been any conversation.
There’s never been any interest either way. So I’m glad we could put that to bed right now.”
Still, the noise hasn’t gone away. According to oddsmakers, DeBoer is considered a +500 longshot for the Michigan job, trailing Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham among the betting favorites.
If DeBoer were to take the job in Ann Arbor, he’d owe Alabama a $4 million buyout. He’s scheduled to speak publicly again on Monday as Alabama enters game week prep.
For now, though, the Crimson Tide are staying locked in on the task at hand - and that’s chasing a national title. DeBoer’s track record speaks for itself: 25 wins in two seasons at Washington, a successful stint at Fresno State, and three NAIA national titles at Sioux Falls. He was hired to replace a legend in Nick Saban, and while Year 1 didn’t include a playoff berth, the program is squarely in the hunt this season.
And if you ask the players, that’s all that matters right now.