Michigan Wants to Hire Alabama's Kalen DeBoer Amid College Football Playoff Run

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Kalen DeBoer and the No. 9-seed Alabama Crimson Tide are in Norman to take on the No. 8-seed Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

While the second-year Alabama coach is focused on keeping his team alive this season, reports linking him to Michigan’s head coaching opening have been running rampant over the past week or so. The Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore after it was revealed he was having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, and despite DeBoer pledging his allegiance to Alabama, are still interested in poaching the offensive mastermind.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed this sentiment ahead of Friday evening’s clash.

“Sources tell me that Michigan officials remain convicted that they want to attempt to hire Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer,” Thamel said via 247Sports’ Mike Rodak. “The result of tonight’s game is going to factor heavily into that pursuit, as an Alabama loss would make the logistics of attempting to hire DeBoer much more tenable.”

Thamel also said Alabama is working “aggressively” to get a deal done with DeBoer, who signed an eight-year, $87 million contract in 2024. DeBoer has a 19-7 record at Alabama and a 56-16 record overall at the FBS level with stops at Fresno State and Washington.

If Alabama loses on Friday, Alabama fans may run DeBoer out of Tuscaloosa. However, if the Tide win, DeBoer will find himself with a huge decision to make and presumably a massive payday coming his way.

Related: Georgia’s Kirby Smart Named Finalist for College Football Award on Wednesday

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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