Despite a public declaration of loyalty to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the coaching future of Kalen DeBoer remains a hot-button issue in the national landscape. Following the abrupt firing of Sherrone Moore at Michigan, rumors have swirled connecting the second-year Alabama coach to the vacancy in Ann Arbor. While DeBoer stated on Monday that he will be in Tuscaloosa next season, ESPN analysts Paul Finebaum and Heather Dinich aren’t ready to close the book just yet.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up, the duo discussed the volatility of the coaching carousel. Dinich, a veteran College Football Playoff insider, warned fans not to take early-week denials at face value. “I will put an end to the speculation when the coaching search ends,” Dinich stated, reminding viewers of the infamous Lincoln Riley pivot from LSU denials to the USC job in 2021.
The Michigan Connection: Why DeBoer is the “Best Option”
For Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel, the search for a successor to Moore is fraught with pressure. Dinich argued that despite DeBoer’s current contract—an eight-year, $87 million deal signed in early 2024—he remains the most attractive candidate for the Wolverines.
“If Alabama loses to Oklahoma and has an early exit, if I’m Warde Manuel… I am going for Kalen DeBoer because he would be the best option,” Dinich noted. The logic rests on DeBoer’s proven track record in the Big Ten footprint and his ability to lead a program to the National Championship game, a feat he achieved with Washington before moving to the SEC.
The “Word Salad” and Contract Leverage
Paul Finebaum offered a more cynical view of the unfolding drama, describing DeBoer’s recent public comments as a “word salad.” Finebaum suggested that the lack of a simple, concise “yes” in initial statements may have been a tactical move by DeBoer’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, to leverage a contract extension from Alabama officials.
“It feels like it’s over, and people at Alabama are pushing back saying they are in the midst of working on a contract,” Finebaum observed. However, he hinted that the university might be waiting until after Friday’s pivotal College Football Playoff matchup against Oklahoma to finalize any new terms. For Finebaum, the timing of DeBoer’s clarification suggests that while the “fire” might be suppressed, the “smoke” from Michigan hasn’t entirely cleared.
High Stakes on Friday Night
The upcoming playoff game against Oklahoma now serves as a dual-purpose crucible. Not only is a spot in the quarterfinals on the line, but the result could dictate the narrative of DeBoer’s tenure. A loss would give the Crimson Tide a four-loss season—a result Finebaum labeled as “disastrous” by Alabama standards.
If the Tide falls in the first round, the internal pressure in Tuscaloosa could align with Michigan’s external interest. While Alabama fans and boosters are currently “vehemently” arguing that DeBoer is staying put, the unpredictable nature of the transfer portal and the coaching carousel means that until a new contract is signed, the “Michigan opening” will continue to cast a shadow over Bryant-Denny Stadium.
A Program at a Crossroads
Kalen DeBoer currently holds a 19-7 record at Alabama, a respectable start in the post-Saban era but one that lacks the invincibility fans have come to expect. As Michigan looks to stabilize its program after a “for cause” firing, the allure of a coach who can win immediately is undeniable.
For now, DeBoer remains a member of the Crimson Tide. But as Dinich famously concluded, in the world of high-stakes college football coaching, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”