Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is under pressure to lead the No. 9 Crimson Tide to a first-round win against the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff on Dec. 19. The Crimson Tide squeaked into the playoff despite finishing with a 10-3 record and being blown out by the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game.
DeBoer’s preparation for the trip to Norman was interrupted by speculation linking him to the vacant Michigan job after the Wolverines sacked coach Sherrone Moore with cause last week.
Analyst Reveals Personal Stakes for Kalen DeBoer at Alabama
During Monday’s segment of the “College GameDay” podcast, analyst Rece Davis predicted that the optics of backing down from the challenging Alabama job will keep DeBoer in Tuscaloosa.
“It’s Michigan,” Davis said. “The winningest program in the history of the sport, everybody understands the allure. Alabama’s got some allure. But I believe this to be more personal. I believe he won’t do it because it will be perceived as backing down. And for as nice a guy as Kalen DeBoer is, he does not like to back down.
“I don’t think he will. Maybe after five years. Maybe if this had come up two years ago at the same time and both jobs were available to him at Washington. The perception of him backing down for the job will keep him at Alabama as much as anything. That’s a pretty good choice to have as a coach.”
After being one of the most prominent candidates linked to the Michigan job, DeBoer released a statement denying the speculation and reaffirming his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
ESPN Analyst Slams DeBoer’s Response to Job Speculation
Despite releasing a statement denying the links to Michigan, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum firmly criticized DeBoer’s winding response to the rumors during Tuesday’s segment of the “First Take” show.
“He handled it very poorly, because the question was very simple,” Finebaum said. “Do you plan on being at Alabama next year? That is the most easy question in the world to answer. The answer is yes, I do. You don’t even have to go yes, I do. You can simply say yes. Instead, Kalen DeBoer offered a lot of nothing.
“It was just really a pathetic word salad. It seemed to me like obfuscation. I don’t think he’s leaving, and everyone that I’ve spoken to in Tuscaloosa believes very strongly he will be there, win or lose on Friday night, and, more than likely, getting an extension.”
DeBoer has been placed on the hot seat in some quarters ahead of Alabama’s clash against Oklahoma. DeBoer has lost both of his clashes against coach Brent Venables’ Sooners, and the stakes for their third meeting have never been higher.
