By Matthew CoudenShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAhead of a massive College Football Playoff game on Friday, Alabama Crimson Tide legend Nick Saban weighed in on the speculation surrounding current head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Appearing on a special "College GameDay Live" from Norman, Oklahoma, before the first-round game between Alabama and the Sooners, the crew discussed the rumors that DeBoer could take the job as Michigan's new coach. Michigan fired coach Sherrone Moore several weeks ago amid off-field drama and legal issues.
Biff Poggi returned to coach Michigan's football team as they head into a college bowl game. However, DeBoer's name has continued to surface in connection with the Wolverines' coaching job.
Read more: Joel Klatt Issues Blunt Warning to Alabama, Kalen DeBoer for CFP
..."Kalen DeBoer has the total and complete support of the University of Alabama. They want him to be the coach at Alabama," Saban said on GameDay, adding, "Maybe they can get him at Michigan, I don't know."
Asked where he'd rank Michigan in terms of the best college football programs to coach in the country, Saban called it a "top five" job. That seems to suggest that DeBoer might want to consider it seriously.
Along with mentioning DeBoer, Saban also praised interim head coach Biff Poggi for his job in taking over at Michigan after Sherrone's firing.
“I think Biff has done a marvelous job in how he’s handled this because he’s put the focus on the players and stayed with the players to get the players to come together,” Saban said regarding the interim head coach at Michigan.
After two seasons coaching Washington, DeBoer followed in the famous footsteps of Saban, taking the Alabama job in 2024 upon Saban’s retirement. He guided the team to a 9-4 record in his first season and an appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Alabama improved with a 10-3 overall record under DeBoer this season. Despite losing to Georgia in the SEC Conference Championship Game, DeBoer’s team earned a spot in the CFP with their first-round matchup against Oklahoma.
With the rumors about him leaving for the Michigan job persistent, DeBoer seemingly shut down the speculation during a statement to the press. He suggested he wasn't talking to any other program about jobs and remained focused on preparing the Crimson Tide for their CFP run.
However, various analysts and insiders suggest that if Alabama loses to the Oklahoma Sooners in the CFP's first round on Friday, DeBoer would become a stronger candidate to become Michigan's head coach.
Read more: Nebraska QB Opens Up on Dylan Raiola Amid Portal News
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