Almost immediately after Michigan parted ways with former head coach Sherrone Moore, the links to Kalen DeBoer started flying. Michigan fans were even convinced that the veteran head coach would be ready to say goodbye to Tuscaloosa to make the move to Ann Arbor.
Kalen DeBoer just dropped a quote that Alabama fans needed to hear
That didn't end up happening, with DeBoer staying put in SEC country, and Kyle Whittingham taking over for the Wolverines. As it turns out, the idea of taking over at Michigan was something that DeBoer never had on his mind, period. He made that much clear in a new interview with On3's Chris Low, with DeBoer passionately saying he indeed never had interest in the opening:
NEW: Kalen DeBoer confirms to @Clowfb he knew Michigan had intense interest in hiring him:
— On3 (@On3) April 1, 2026
"I would have had to be living under a rock (not to know). I’m not naïve.
I never talked to anyone, not one time. I just don’t know how you could live with yourself and look into your… pic.twitter.com/tyRk5XFjZY
Kalen DeBoer's update on Michigan links will make Alabama fans everywhere happy
We didn't need it, but this provides even more proof that DeBoer is 100 percent locked in with the Tide and he's ready for this team to start competing for titles again. This past season, Alabama reached the College Football Playoff and posted a strong win over Oklahoma in the first round.
Then against Indiana, Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers cruised to a win - Indiana then went on to win it all. It was a brutal loss for the Tide and the fact that it happened in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl somehow made things even worse.
After that defeat, plenty of Bama haters came after DeBoer once again, claiming he's not the right fit to lead the program. We don't agree with that whatsoever, as DeBoer is no question the right man for the job and the hope is a return trip to the CFP will be on the way next winter.
There are plenty of questions that need to be answered ahead of Week 1, of course including who his starting quarterback is going to be. Despite that, DeBoer and Co. have been hard at work this spring, taking positive steps to building another strong team for '26.
DeBoer keeps rockin' Alabama gear with pride, as he knows what it means to wear those colors. Michigan may have had some interest in him, but those feelings were not reciprocated. Yup, DeBoer is all Bama right now and moving forward.