Things have been trending up for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama in recent weeks. After a disappointing loss to Florida State - one that looks more baffling with each passing Seminole loss - the Crimson Tide has effectively bounced back with five straight wins. The last three have been the most impressive, with Alabama taking down three consecutive ranked conference foes.
So, of course, leave it to an ESPN writer - one who has long prayed for Alabama's downfall - to try and sow the seeds of dissention in Tuscaloosa.
ESPN college football insider Heather Dinich joined the Pat McAfee show on Monday and produced one of the most ridiculous takes you will ever hear regarding DeBoer, Ohio State's Ryan Day, and the vacant Penn State job.
Brilliant analysis from ESPN’s Heather Dinich regarding the Penn State coaching search:
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) October 13, 2025
“I mean look down the stretch… is Kalen DeBoer happy at Alabama? How happy is Ryan Day? I don’t know the answer to all these questions.
Would they leave? That’s part of the question.” pic.twitter.com/0qpyEO4iJu
I mean, where do you even start with this? I guess with the obvious: No, neither of them will leave. Willingly at least. And no, that's not a legitimate question. There. You're welcome.
Penn State is a great job. One of the best in the country. But no, the head coach at Alabama, who has the Crimson Tide ranked No. 6 in the country right now, is not going to leave for Happy Valley. And no, the head coach of - checks notes - the defending national champion and current No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes is also not going to leave for that job.
Can we be serious?
Kalen DeBoer will not be the next head coach at Penn State
It wouldn't be a total shock down the road for Kalen DeBoer to leave Alabama on his own in a lateral or even step down. If the pressure gets to be too much or the seat too warm, then he could look for an exit plan. We're not even close to that point yet, though.
Alabama has a ton of forward momentum under DeBoer right now. The Crimson Tide is right in the thick of the SEC and College Football Playoff races. And the future looks bright. DeBoer signed an elite recruiting class in his first cycle and is on the verge of signing another one in December.
His recruiting and evaluation acumen have already been on full display. Along with the expected production from 5-stars like Dijon Lee and Michael Carroll, guys like Lotzeir Brooks and London Simmons have already outperformed their recruiting rankings.
DeBoer will be Alabama's head coach next season, barring something truly unexpected over the last half of the regular season. The momentum is real, Alabama has turned the corner, and they're just going to continue to get better.