The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Last year brought two significant rumors surrounding Kalen DeBoer and the potential for him to depart Alabama in the coaching carousel. The first was with Penn State after the Nittany Lions fired James Franklin. DeBoer publicly rebuffed those rumors, but that wasn't the end.
When Michigan fired Sherrone Moore, a fresh batch of rumors started up connecting DeBoer to the opening in Ann Arbor, with some going as far as to say that if Alabama lost the Iron Bowl, and then the College Football Playoff opening-round game to Oklahoma, DeBoer would be on the first thing smoking out of Tuscaloosa.
Instead, Alabama won the Iron Bowl. And then came from behind to beat Oklahoma in Norman in the playoff. Michigan ultimately hired Kyle Whittingham, and the Crimson Tide signed DeBoer to a contract extension in the offseason.
Fast forward a year later, and more DeBoer rumors are already popping up.
Lincoln Riley is firmly on the hot seat at USC. If the Trojans were to make a move, many believe that their wishlist would begin with DeBoer. CBS Sports' John Talty echoed that sentiment this week:
“If USC were to make a move, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer would be at the top of the list.” @JTalty pic.twitter.com/4Rza4TV4Oh
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 29, 2026
Kalen DeBoer to USC rumors are already beginning to heat up
There's a natural connection there. DeBoer is a West Coast guy from his time at both Fresno State and Washington. Current USC AD Jennifer Cohen was the athletic director at Washington who hired DeBoer away from Fresno State. So they have a previous relationship that could make a new partnership enticing.
The relationship between Alabama fans and DeBoer remains contentious. When the Tide fell short against Georgia a few weeks ago, it looked like a turning point. Alabama fought hard and came up short in controversy. Alabama fans embraced DeBoer in a near-unanimous fashion for the first time.
One week later, he was back on the **** list after Alabama no-showed in Knoxville and lost to Tennessee for the second time in three years under his leadership. Alabama bounced back with a win last week against Texas A&M, but the Crimson Tide is one loss away from likely missing the College Football Playoff for the second time in his three seasons in Tuscaloosa.
What is Kalen DeBoer's buyout at Alabama?
If DeBoer and Alabama part ways anytime soon, it's going to be because DeBoer made that decision. Alabama is locked in with him otherwise.
Based on his current buyout terms after signing the extension back in April, Alabama would owe him $67.5 million if they fired him after this season. That's not going to happen.
But if DeBoer wanted to leave, he would owe Alabama $10 million between now and the end of January 2027. That's a more reasonable figure.
It still seems unlikely that the relationship would end after this season, however. DeBoer may have the best team he'll ever have in Tuscaloosa in 2027 with the best shot at potentially winning a national championship.
Alabama projects to bring back the majority of its 2026 offense next season, and they have plenty of talented youngsters all over the two-deep ready to fill any voids. They may invest a pretty penny in the Transfer Portal this offseason, too, as they try to go all in on next season's roster.
That alone makes it difficult to expect that he would seriously entertain another job offer.
There's also the simple fact that Riley is still employed in Los Angeles, too, and has the Trojans at 6-2 presently. If they end up at 9 or 10 wins, it is tough to see them making a move with the amount of young talent they brought to USC in the last recruiting cycle.
So while it is currently unlikely - barring an unexpected finish to this season - for DeBoer to leave Alabama, the rumor mill is already churning. If USC loses another couple of games, that churn will get faster and faster, causing another unnecessary and annoying distraction for players and fans to endure.
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