There Are Growing Rumors That Kalen DeBoer Is Leaving Alabama
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Even though Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has repeatedly stated that he's staying in Tuscaloosa and not interested in any other jobs, fans and analysts can't help but maintain his candidacy for the now-vacant Michigan job.
The latest person to make an argument to that effect is ESPN's Michael Wilbon. On the latest episode of Pardon The Interruption, Wilbon appeared convinced that DeBoer is destined for Ann Arbor.
Wilbon argued that if Alabama loses to Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff today (which he is certain will happen), there will be renewed calls for DeBoer to be fired. If that happens, Wilbon believes DeBoer will simply leave.
"The coach at Alabama is going to have a job-on-the-line situation in 24 hours, and then headed to Michigan once he loses. And then Alabama's looking. Then what are you going to say?" Wilbon said.
Michael Wilbon seems pretty convinced Kalen DeBoer is headed to Ann Arbor 😳
"The coach at Alabama is going to have a job-on-the-line situation in 24 hours, and then headed to Michigan once he loses. And then Alabama's looking. Then what are you going to say?" pic.twitter.com/2Gh9NjKmj9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 18, 2025
Dismissive Response
Alabama fans have largely ignored media members suggesting that DeBoer would leave Tuscaloosa. Many have pointed out that only the media wants Alabama to leave and that the fans don't want him to go as much as people think they do:
"Media wants him fired more than the actual fan base," one user on X remarked.
"So the coach who has made it to the SEC Championship his second year in the greatest conference in college football and the same coach who will get his recruiting class next year is going to leave Alabama for a dumpster fire in Ann Arbor! Okay," another mocked.
"The only people wanting him out of Alabama are fans of other teams. Says it all. The dynasty lives on rent free in the heads of the entire country," a third declared.
If DeBoer leads Alabama to a win over Oklahoma and secures a trip to the Rose Bowl against No. 1 Indiana, the calculus completely changes. And if he leads the Crimson Tide to an upset over the Hoosiers, he's not only looking at a clear shot to the national championship, he's looking at a lucrative long-term extension that would probably make him one of the highest-paid coaches in history.
Suffice it to say, there's a much greater chance that DeBoer begins 2026 as a hero in Tuscaloosa than a savior in Ann Arbor.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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