The prevailing issue in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is whether Kalen DeBoer wants to remain with the Crimson Tide. That the script "A" isn't the top of the SEC, or really anywhere close, has fans of the program, and even former players, believing DeBoer's job is on the line against the Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff despite a 19-7 record in charge is telling.
DeBoer is clearly not wanted. He probably knows that deep down, because most in the Yellowhammer State are making that crystal clear. One player from past years is risking his standing with the program to hammer that point home.
Former Alabama running back Damian Harris tabbed the OU game a win-or-go-home matchup for DeBoer. Harris doesn't feel DeBoer is meeting the "Bama Standard" through his first two seasons on the job.
"I think [Kalen DeBoer's] job is on the line with this game. This isn't the standard of excellence that is used to being had in Tuscaloosa," Harris said to CBS Sports.
Kalen DeBoer to Michigan, Lane Kiffin to Alabama?
With the Michigan Wolverines' head coaching job opening after Sherrone Moore's firing, DeBoer's name has been strongly linked to UM. While DeBoer was also linked to the Penn State Nittany Lions job that Matt Campbell ended up filling, as Bleacher Report's David Kenyon explained that there's a strong Michigan connection via GM Courtney Morgan.
"An additional appeal for DeBoer is that his general manager has deep Michigan ties. Courtney Morgan, a key part of DeBoer's executive team at both Washington and Bama, both played at U-M and served as Jim Harbaugh's GM in 2021," Kenyon wrote.
"This is the absolute best-case scenario for the Maize and Blue, particularly with quarterback Bryce Underwood as a cornerstone piece."
In the event DeBoer leaves the Tide, Kenyon believes Lane Kiffin would bolt the LSU Tigers to take the Alabama job.
"If DeBoer were to leave, however, Kiffin would be the theoretical No. 1 target," Kenyon prefaced before saying, "Say what you want about his recent decision—and I certainly have my own thoughts—but Kiffin is an offensive mastermind. It's safe to say Alabama is not thrilled at the prospect of that prowess now coaching its preeminent rival.
"The easiest response? Take him."
LSU being Alabama's "preeminent rival" is something you'd have to run by Tennessee Volunteers and Auburn Tiger fans, but the logic of destroying the Bayou Bengals and landing a coach who feels destined for the Mullet A is sound.
Kiffin would certainly lessen the bad blood with the Ole Miss Rebels by pulling a move 1,000x worse to LSU, but pulling a last-second move to Alabama after signing day, albeit before the portal window in January, feels too difficult to pull off at this point in the calendar.
Losing DeBoer probably pushes the Tide to looking at NFL coaches for their staff. Not a rushed Kiffin coup right before the holidays.