ESPN insider shares latest on Michigan’s pursuit of Kalen DeBoer
By David Wasson
Published:
The Alabama Crimson Tide make their record 9th College Football Playoff appearance Friday night against the Oklahoma Sooners (8 pm ET, ABC/ESPN), but that reportedly hasn’t stopped Michigan from actively pursuing Tide coach Kalen DeBoer to take over the reeling Wolverines program.
“Sources tell me that Michigan officials remain convicted that they want to attempt to hire Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Friday night on College GameDay. “The result of (Friday’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 reported that Alabama officials “have worked aggressively to try to sign Kalen DeBoer to a new deal” in the days leading up to the first-round CFP matchup against the Sooners in Norman.
DeBoer reiterated his desire to stay at Alabama into 2026 and beyond earlier this week, saying that he had no plan to speak with anyone about any opening – in Ann Arbor or beyond.
“I put a statement out yesterday,” DeBoer said to reporters Monday. “I just, first of all, our guys handle distractions phenomenally. It’s been that way all season long. They continue to do that. But I also knew that yesterday and today was pretty important. I wasn’t going to see you until today to address this. So that’s why I put that out there.
“A lot of the same things I said before a couple weeks ago when asked really the same question. I feel completely supported. My family loves living here. Just all the things that we continue to build on. Love the progress. Haven’t talked with anyone. No plans of talking with anyone.”
DeBoer, 54, is 19-7 in 2 seasons at Alabama – including a 10-3 record in 2025. His overall coaching record in 11 seasons at Sioux Falls, Fresno State, Washington and Alabama is 123-19.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
