Kalen DeBoer Shuts Down Michigan Rumors, Keeps Focus on Alabama’s Playoff Push
With Michigan parting ways with head coach Sherrone Moore, the college football rumor mill kicked into high gear - and right at the center of it? Kalen DeBoer.
The Alabama head coach has seen his name surface in just about every major coaching vacancy lately. First it was Penn State after James Franklin’s exit, and now Michigan, a program with national title expectations and a Midwest footprint that aligns with DeBoer’s coaching roots.
On paper, the fit makes sense. But DeBoer?
He’s not biting.
Once again, the man tasked with following Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa made it clear: he’s not going anywhere.
“Feel completely supported”
Speaking to the media on Monday, DeBoer was asked directly about the Michigan job. His response left no room for interpretation.
“A lot of the same things I said before, you know, a couple weeks ago, when asked really the same question, just feel completely supported,” DeBoer said. “My family loves living here.
Just all the things that we continue to build on, love the progress. Haven’t talked with anyone, no plans of talking with anyone.”
That’s about as firm as you’ll get in the college coaching world - especially during a time when job-hopping and cryptic non-denials are practically part of the playbook. But DeBoer didn’t dance around it. He doubled down on his commitment to Alabama, emphasizing that he and his family are happy and that he’s fully invested in the program’s future.
Eyes on Oklahoma, not Ann Arbor
DeBoer’s Alabama squad, seeded No. 9, is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown with No. 8 Oklahoma in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. The game’s set for Dec. 19 in Norman - a true road test in a win-or-go-home scenario.
That kind of pressure cooker doesn’t leave much room for distractions, and DeBoer knows it. With his name swirling in coaching rumors, he made it a point to highlight the team’s focus and resilience.
“Our guys, if there’s been any distraction, I haven’t seen it, haven’t felt it,” he said. “And so I’m really proud of the way they’ve handled whatever noise is out there. And again, we probably all season long, have dealt with enough noise to where it wouldn’t surprise me on how they handle this.”
That’s a telling quote. Alabama’s dealt with adversity all season - from the expectations of replacing a legend to the pressure of staying in the national title hunt. And now, with a playoff matchup looming, the last thing they need is uncertainty at the top.
Still building in Tuscaloosa
Let’s be honest - following Nick Saban isn’t just a job, it’s a legacy-defining challenge. The bar isn’t just winning; it’s winning everything, multiple times. That’s the weight DeBoer walked into, and so far, he’s handled it with poise.
He’s not just coaching a team - he’s building a new chapter for a program that’s known nothing but dominance for over a decade. And from his comments, it’s clear he feels like the foundation is strong and the future is bright.
There’s always going to be speculation - that’s just life in college football. But DeBoer’s message is clear: he’s not looking for an exit. He’s locked in on Oklahoma, on the playoff, and on continuing to shape Alabama into his version of a championship contender.
For now, the connection between DeBoer and the Crimson Tide looks as solid as ever.