Will Kalen DeBoer be the head coach at Alabama in 2026? 'Yes'
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — For the second time in two days, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer addressed his name being mentioned for the coaching vacancy at Michigan. DeBoer released a statement on Sunday, reaffirming his commitment, but he was asked about it again on Monday.
“I put a statement out yesterday because I just — first of all, our guys handle distractions phenomenally,” DeBoer said. “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 gonna see you until today to address it, 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. Just feel completely supported. My family loves living here. Just all the things that we continue to build on. I love the progress. I haven’t talked with anyone. No plans of talking with anyone.
“I think that’s a lot of what I said a couple weeks ago, and continues to be the same thing. Feel strong about it. Our guys, if there’s any distraction, I haven’t seen it, haven’t felt it. And so, I’m really proud of the way they’ve handled whatever noise that’s out there. And again, we’ve probably, all season long, dealt with enough noise to where it doesn’t surprise me on how they’ve handled this.”
The first question in Monday’s press conference was whether DeBoer will be the Alabama head coach next season. He didn’t answer it the first time, but a follow-up pressed him about it.
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“Yes,” DeBoer said.
DeBoer and Alabama are having ongoing discussions about an extension, but nothing has been agreed upon or signed, according to On3 national reporters Chris Low and Pete Nakos.
Last week, DeBoer shut down being linked to the then-vacant Penn State coaching position.
“We’re extremely happy at Alabama,” DeBoer said last Thursday. “… We’re extremely happy here. Love the challenge, love the grind, love this place. And there’s never been any link. There’s never been any conversation. There’s never been any interest either way.
“So, I’m glad we can put that to bed right now.”
DeBoer is in Year 2 at Alabama, after choosing to leave Washington and replace Nick Saban as the head coach of the Crimson Tide. He has posted a 19-7 record thus far and has Alabama back in the College Football Playoff in his second season. In addition to game results, DeBoer is recruiting at a high level, signing the No. 3 and No. 4 classes, respectively, in 2025 and 2026.
Alabama will face Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday, Dec. 19, in Norman, Okla. The rematch is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. CT on both ABC and ESPN.
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