Rumors of Kalen DeBoer’s departure from the Alabama Crimson Tide come to a screeching halt following latest coaching news
If Kalen DeBoer is leaving, it won’t be for the job he’s been attached to.
Kalen DeBoer is probably locked in a dark room with a black Alabama Crimson Tide hoodie on, watching as much film as one can stomach ahead of his matchup with the Indiana Hoosiers on New Year’s Day.
So he probably doesn’t know, or doesn’t care to know, that all of the rumors about his departure from Alabama just came to a screeching halt. Because on Boxing Day, one of the biggest programs in the sport is expected to name its next head coach, and his name doesn’t even rhyme with Kalen DeBoer.
Michigan Wolverines expected to name Kyle Whittingham as next head coach
The rumors of DeBoer’s departure first started after Penn State relieved James Franklin of his duties. There was a thought that if Alabama had lost the Iron Bowl and missed the College Football Playoff, DeBoer would be looking for an out and heading up north.
Of course, nothing from DeBoer suggested that, and he emphatically denied having any interest in leaving Alabama. Penn State would hire Matt Campbell, and the rumors quieted, until the SEC Championship and the bombshell scandal at Michigan.
After getting throttled by the Georgia Bulldogs and the termination of Sherrone Moore, people started putting DeBoer’s name atop the Michigan head coaching candidate list. Again, DeBoer remained committed to the Crimson Tide, going as far as to release a statement about his preparation ahead of the first round of the CFP against Oklahoma.
That brings us to the present day, where, after the comeback win against OU and DeBoer punching his ticket to the Rose Bowl, the talk now turns to whether or not DeBoer will be extended before the granddaddy of them all. The rumors of his departure for Michigan officially end with the news of Whittingham.
For more on the news, here is some added analysis from A to Z Sports Alabama contributor Josh Taylor.
Why DeBoer didn’t take the Michigan job
“The Oklahoma Sooners weren’t the only ones who lost something when Alabama came back in the first round of the College Football Playoff, as Michigan lost hope at landing Kalen DeBoer after his staple win. Michigan seemed to be banking on DeBoer as the top target since firing Moore, and once Dillingham announced that he was staying at Arizona State, and they just needed a quick exit by Alabama.”
That didn’t happen, though, and the DeBoer rumors took a crash landing and abruptly ended, leaving Michigan in the dirt, with not much of a backup plan. Wittingham kind of fell into Michigan’s lap, but I do believe he’s a good fit for their program while they recover from the mess left behind. Will he be as good as DeBoer? Very unlikely, but a good option to have this late in the cycle after going all-in on DeBoer, just to fall way short.” – Taylor
Alabama Crimson Tide News
Indiana HC Curt Cignetti changes his tune a bit when talking about Kalen DeBoer and his matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide
The normally brash head coach of the Hoosiers was a little more complimentary when it came to Alabama.
