Kalen DeBoer addresses future at Alabama amid Michigan rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer publicly pushed back Sunday against reports linking him to the vacant Michigan job, saying he has no interest in leaving Tuscaloosa and has not spoken with any other schools.
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“I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job,” DeBoer said in a statement released by the program. “I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama.”
DeBoer’s name surfaced almost immediately after Michigan fired coach Sherrone Moore for cause last week, creating one of the most high-profile openings in the sport.
Sources told On3’s Chris Low and Pete Nakos that Alabama and DeBoer are engaged in ongoing discussions about a contract extension, though no agreement has been finalized or signed.
Currently in his second season with the Crimson Tide, DeBoer is 19-7 at Alabama after replacing Nick Saban, who won six national championships during his tenure in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer guided Washington to a College Football Playoff national championship game before taking the Alabama job in January 2024.
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Alabama rebounded from a Week 1 loss at Florida State to finish the regular season 10-2 in 2025, including a 7-1 mark in SEC play. The Tide reached the SEC championship game before falling 28-7 to Georgia and earned the No. 9 seed in the CFP. Alabama is 2-1 against Georgia and 2-0 against rival Auburn under DeBoer.
DeBoer owns a 123-19 career record as a college head coach, including three NAIA national titles at Sioux Falls. He also coached at Fresno State before Washington.
The 51-year-old coach will lead Alabama into a CFP first-round matchup Friday at No. 8 Oklahoma. DeBoer is under contract through 2031 and earned $10.25 million this season. He would owe Alabama $4 million if he leaves before Jan. 1 and $3 million afterward.
