‘It would be crushing’ – Former Alabama quarterback details whether he thinks Kalen DeBoer will leave Tuscaloosa for Michigan
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is one of the top candidates to replace Sherrone Moore at Michigan.
One of the biggest jobs in college football unexpectedly came open on Wednesday, and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is one of the top candidates to fill it.
The Michigan Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday afternoon due to an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.
DeBoer was quickly listed by several notable national media members — including The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman — as a candidate to replace Moore at Michigan.
Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy shares thoughts on Kalen DeBoer and Michigan
Former Alabama quarterback and co-host of McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning Greg McElroy shared his thoughts on the Michigan/DeBoer rumors on Thursday morning.
McElroy specifically noted that he doesn’t think DeBoer is afraid of the massive expectations at Alabama (which is one of the main narratives that’s floated when DeBoer’s name is connected to other jobs).
“This guy (DeBoer) is highly desirable everywhere, and yet some people here (in Alabama) still don’t think he’s the right man for the job,” said McElroy. “That’s insane to me. People that know more than you want him. That, to me, is amazing. So here’s what I would say about it — I think Kalen DeBoer is the ultimate competitor. An insane competitor, to the point in which this guy played indy league baseball because he just wanted to compete, before he got into coaching, and knew he just had to do something in the competitive field.
“And I think Kalen DeBoer does care about the optics and legacy. Michigan is a great job. No one’s denying that. It’s a great job, and one that in the Big 10, if you just win one or two (big) games a year, you’re in great shape to make the College Football Playoff. So it’s a great spot. However, I think the optics of him leaving Alabama would lead people to believe he was running away from the challenge. And I think that is ultimately what would kill him. He wants to get it right here. So if he took it, I’d be shocked. I would. But I don’t blame them for trying at all. I would try, too, if I were them. Because I think Kalen DeBoer is one of the top five coaches in America with what he brings week in and week out.”
“I happen to think Kalen DeBoer is rare one,” added McElroy. “So if he goes, I’d be disappointed. Because, I’ve got to be honest, I don’t think you can get better than him. I really don’t. I’d be very, very disappointed as a fan if he left. Very disappointed. It’d be crushing, frankly, because I think you’re going down with whoever you bring in next.”
The timing to hire Kalen DeBoer would be complicated for Michigan
Beyond McElroy’s comments about DeBoer and his desire to “get it right” at Alabama, another obstacle to Michigan swiping the Crimson Tide’s coach is the timing of the situation.
Alabama is set to play Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff on December 19. It’s hard to imagine DeBoer leaving for Michigan before that game. I’m also skeptical that DeBoer would even speak to Michigan before playing that game.
It’s unclear how quickly Michigan plans to move to replace Moore. But if they’re planning to make a hire in the next week, that would seemingly rule out DeBoer as an option.
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