There's a fresh batch of Kalen DeBoer rumors just a week after the Alabama head coach put to bed the rumors of his interest in jumping ship to Penn State.
But in the immediate aftermath of Michigan's shocking firing of Sherrone Moore, DeBoer was immediately listed by almost every expert as one of the top candidates for the Wolverines. While the Penn State rumors never felt truly credible, this one certainly feels different.
Michigan is not a better job than Alabama, but it's on the same wavelength. The Wolverines have all the resources to compete in this era of college football. But so does Alabama. A large chunk of the rumored interest between DeBoer and Michigan stems from people who believe he may already be looking for a coaching reset after two years in Tuscaloosa because of made-up heat on him.
There is a vocal minority in the Alabama fanbase who believe DeBoer should be on the hot seat. But the majority of Alabama fans - and the entirety of the decision makers at the University - don't buy that. And that's regardless of what happens next Friday night in Norman.
Losing DeBoer this late in the coaching carousel, with the majority of the best candidates for jobs having already moved on or signed extensions, would be devastating for Alabama's ability to remain competitive in the interim.
Former Alabama QB turned college football analyst Greg McElroy hit the nail on the head with his assessment of DeBoer potentially leaving.
"If he goes, I’d be disappointed, because I don’t think you can get better than him. I really don’t," McElroy said on his radio show on Thursday. "I’d be very disappointed, as an Alabama fan, if he left. It’d be crushing frankly, because I think you’re going down with whoever you bring in next.”
Alabama cannot afford to lose Kalen DeBoer right now
The most comforting thing for Alabama fans is a trust in the Athletic Director that not many schools have. Greg Byrne is one of the very best in the business. He had a 30+ page plan of action ready when Nick Saban retired. Byrne undoubtedly has a plan ready in case of DeBoer's departure, but it's hard to see the vision from the 30,000-foot view we currently have.
Byrne should - and likely would - do what it takes to hang on to DeBoer. Michigan being interested in DeBoer doesn't mean the feeling is mutual, however. He's a good coach. He's going to consistently command attention from other programs.
But he has a good thing going at Alabama. The Crimson Tide took a step forward in his second season in Tuscaloosa, and he just signed a second straight top-five recruiting class. Things are on the upswing.
DeBoer isn't scheduled to talk to the media again until Monday. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say about the Michigan job when he is inevitably asked. He sent a strong message denying any interest in the Penn State job. Anything less than that when he's asked about Michigan will result in widespread panic and the rumors reaching a fever pitch.