Kalen DeBoer Reaffirms Commitment to Alabama Amid Michigan Rumors as Tide Preps for CFP Clash with Oklahoma
With Alabama gearing up for a high-stakes College Football Playoff showdown against No. 8 Oklahoma, the spotlight isn’t just on the field-it’s also on the sideline, where head coach Kalen DeBoer finds himself at the center of swirling rumors linking him to the now-vacant Michigan job. But if you ask DeBoer, he’s not going anywhere.
The Crimson Tide, seeded No. 9, are back in the playoff picture for the first time under DeBoer’s leadership, marking a significant step forward in his second season in Tuscaloosa. After missing the CFP in 2024, Alabama battled its way back into the national conversation this year, despite a lopsided 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game that had many questioning whether the Tide would even make the cut.
Still, the playoff committee gave Alabama the nod, and now the focus shifts to Oklahoma-and to DeBoer’s future.
DeBoer Addresses Michigan Speculation
Following the abrupt firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore last week, DeBoer’s name quickly surfaced as a potential candidate in Ann Arbor. But the Alabama head coach has been quick to shut down the noise.
On December 14, DeBoer released a statement reaffirming his commitment to the Crimson Tide. Then, during a press conference on December 15, he doubled down.
“I put out a statement yesterday,” DeBoer said. “Our guys have handled distractions phenomenally all season long. They continue to do that.”
He went on to emphasize the support he feels from the program and his family’s comfort in Tuscaloosa.
“My family loves living here,” DeBoer added. “Just all the things that we continue to build on. Love the progress.”
As for any conversations with Michigan or other programs?
“I haven’t talked with anyone. I have no plans of talking with anyone,” he said.
“That’s a lot of what I said a couple weeks ago, and it continues to be the same thing. I feel strong about that.”
Alabama’s Support for DeBoer Remains Firm
Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne also weighed in, making it clear the university is standing firmly behind its head coach.
“We are proud to have Coach DeBoer leading our football program at The University of Alabama,” Byrne said. “He is an incredible coach and does an excellent job with the development of our student-athletes, both on and off the field. Just as he is committed to this team, we are committed to him.”
This isn’t the first time DeBoer has had to address coaching rumors this season. Earlier in December, he was linked to the Penn State vacancy before Alabama’s SEC title game against Georgia. He quickly dismissed that speculation as well, saying, “We’re extremely happy at Alabama… There’s never been any link, there’s never been any conversation, there’s never been any interest either way.”
Penn State has since hired Matt Campbell from Iowa State.
Why DeBoer’s Name Keeps Popping Up
While DeBoer remains firm in his stance, it’s not hard to see why his name continues to be mentioned in connection with high-profile openings like Michigan. Despite a rocky start to his Alabama tenure, he’s quietly rebuilt momentum.
After a 9-4 finish in 2024-including a late-season collapse and a bowl loss to Michigan-DeBoer entered 2025 under pressure. A 31-17 season-opening loss to Florida State didn’t help matters. But then came the turnaround.
Alabama’s regular season featured a signature 24-21 win over then-No. 5 Georgia on the road, followed by strong performances against ranked opponents like Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee. Even after a narrow 23-21 loss to Oklahoma, the Tide bounced back with a win over Auburn to secure a spot in the SEC title game.
But the rematch with Georgia in Atlanta was a step backward. Alabama struggled mightily, managing just 209 total yards and finishing with negative rushing yards.
The Tide went 3-for-14 on third down in a game that raised serious questions about their playoff viability. Yet, the committee still gave them the nod.
Now, Alabama will face Oklahoma for the third time in a calendar year-and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Another underwhelming performance could reignite the coaching conversation, especially among fans who haven’t forgotten last year’s late-season collapse.
And while Alabama would owe DeBoer more than $60 million if they moved on from him, that hasn’t stopped speculation from bubbling up when the Tide falter.
DeBoer’s Michigan Ties
Though DeBoer hasn’t coached at Michigan, he does have ties to the state. From 2014 to 2016, he served as offensive coordinator at Eastern Michigan, just down the road from Ann Arbor in Ypsilanti. That stint, along with his Midwest coaching roots-Southern Illinois, Sioux Falls, and even a high school job in South Dakota-give him a regional familiarity that naturally fuels speculation.
But his most recent success came out west. Before arriving in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer led Washington to a 25-3 record over two seasons, including a national championship in 2023. That resume makes him a hot name whenever a blue-blood job opens up.
Contract Details
DeBoer signed an eight-year deal with Alabama in January 2024, running through 2031. He earned $10.25 million this season.
If he were to leave for another job before January 1, he would owe the school $4 million. That number drops to $3 million after the new year.
For now, though, DeBoer is locked in on the task at hand-getting Alabama its first win over Oklahoma in three tries over the past year and proving that the Tide’s return to the playoff isn’t a fluke.
The noise around his future may be loud, but DeBoer’s message has been consistent: he’s focused on Alabama, and he’s not looking to leave. Whether that holds true deep into the offseason remains to be seen, but for now, the Crimson Tide are marching forward with their coach right where he says he wants to be.