ESPN analysts debate whether the speculation for the Alabama coach is over.
The conversation surrounding the Alabama head coaching position has reached a fever pitch in December 2025, as ESPN analysts engage in a heated debate over whether the speculation surrounding Kalen DeBoer is truly over or merely entering a new, more volatile chapter. While DeBoer has guided the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff following a hard-fought SEC Championship appearance, the off-field noise has become a shadow that the program cannot seem to shake. The debate primarily centers on reports linking DeBoer to the head coaching vacancy at the University of Michigan, as well as the astronomical expectations of a fanbase still adjusting to life after Nick Saban.
On one side of the desk, insiders like Pete Thamel have attempted to pour cold water on the rumors. Thamel recently reported on the Pat McAfee Show that there has been “no indication” of DeBoer having any interest in leaving Tuscaloosa for Ann Arbor. Analysts in this camp argue that the sheer logistics of DeBoer’s contract make a move highly improbable. With an eight-year, $87 million deal that runs through 2031, DeBoer is one of the highest-paid figures in sports. From a professional standpoint, advocates for DeBoer’s stability point out that Alabama offers every resource necessary to win a national title—resources that are at least equal to, if not greater than, what is available at Michigan. They view the current speculation as a byproduct of the “coaching carousel” season, where any high-performing coach is naturally linked to high-profile openings by agents seeking leverage or media outlets seeking clicks.
However, the “steady” narrative championed by Paul Finebaum is being challenged by other voices at ESPN who believe the speculation will persist as long as the Michigan job remains open. Heather Dinich, speaking on Get Up, notably refused to declare the case closed. She reminded viewers of the infamous “Lincoln Riley precedent,” where a coach’s public denial of interest in one job (LSU) was followed almost immediately by a move to another (USC). Dinich’s argument is built on the reality of the modern SEC: when you aren’t winning national championships at Alabama, you are effectively on the hot seat. She suggested that while DeBoer has publicly squashed the rumors, a potential loss to Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff could reignite the conversation. In this view, the “speculation” isn’t just about whether DeBoer wants to leave, but whether the Alabama administration and its boosters would remain fully committed if the season ends in a disappointing early playoff exit.
The intensity of the debate reached a peak when Kirk Herbstreit addressed a fan’s question on his Nonstop podcast regarding whether DeBoer could be fired if the Tide loses to Oklahoma for a third time in just over a year. Herbstreit’s reaction was one of pure disbelief, questioning the sanity of a fanbase that would even consider moving on from a coach who reached the playoffs in his debut season in the toughest conference in football. Alongside him, Joey Galloway noted that in the current era of college football, “it does not matter what you have done; people want to fire people.” This sentiment highlights the unique pressure of the Alabama job. Success is no longer measured by 10-win seasons or playoff berths, but by the presence of a trophy in the cabinet.
Furthermore, the tactical side of the debate involves the “Michigan fit.” Pundits like Bill Bender have discussed why the DeBoer-to-Michigan chatter isn’t as far-fetched as it seems on the surface. DeBoer is a Midwest native with deep ties to the region, and his offensive scheme has proven it can dominate in various climates. For Michigan, hiring DeBoer would be a “home run” move to stabilize a program reeling from the departure of Sherrone Moore. The speculation is fueled by the idea that DeBoer might prefer the relative stability of the Big Ten over the week-to-week “meat grinder” of the new-look SEC, where 10–2 is the new gold standard for survival.
As Alabama prepares to travel to Norman for their playoff matchup, the program finds itself in a strange paradox. They are among the elite twelve teams in the country, yet their leader’s future is a daily topic on national television. Analysts like Dan Orlovsky have shifted the focus toward on-field performance, arguing that Alabama’s inclusion in the playoff over teams like Notre Dame was controversial enough; the only way to end the coaching speculation for good is for DeBoer to prove his worth with a deep postseason run. A victory over Oklahoma would likely silence the Michigan rumors and solidify the ongoing contract extension negotiations reported by Chris Low. A loss, however, would likely ensure that the ESPN “debate” continues well into the new year.
Ultimately, the consensus among the ESPN crew is that while the “speculation” might be dormant for the moment, it is far from dead. The modern coaching landscape is too fluid, and the expectations at Alabama are too high for any coach to feel truly secure without a ring. Whether DeBoer is the “steady” hand Finebaum describes or a coach looking for a logical exit remains to be seen. For now, the eyes of the college football world remain fixed on Tuscaloosa, waiting to see if the upcoming playoff game will be a cornerstone for DeBoer’s legacy or the final act of a brief, albeit successful, tenure.
