As Kalen DeBoer swats away Michigan, here's where coaching search can turn

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As Kalen DeBoer swats away Michigan, here's where coaching search can turn

Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Mon, Dec 15, 2025 ·

4 min read

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Imagine Michigan's coaching search as that game off the "Price is Right," where the contestant must stop the hiker's climb up the mountain before he topples over the cliff.

Michigan inched a few more steps up the slope and toward the cliff with Kalen DeBoer saying no thanks to the Wolverines .

"I haven't talked with anyone, no plans of talking with anyone," DeBoer told reporters, before adding, unequivocally, he'll be Alabama 's coach next season.

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Ann Arbor is but a lovely place, and Michigan is but a fine program, but it really should come as no shock a coach didn't want to leave Alabama for Michigan.

Alabama is college football's mecca. Coaches who win big there ascend to single-name status.

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See fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's career on the field

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shakes hands with place kicker Dominic Zvada (96) after an extra point against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Moore, the former Michigan football coach fired on Dec. 10 , 2025, was arrested hours after he was relieved of his duties.

(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore cheers as he runs onto the field for warmup at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore uses hand signal, 4-0, to celebrate the Wolverines' 4th straight win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play against Ohio State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day shakes hands with Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore following the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Michigan won 13-10.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore hugs athletic director Warde Manuel during warmup at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore reacts to a play against Purdue during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shakes hands with Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith after the Wolverines' 31-20 win at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore cheers on before a play against Washington during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Sherrone Moore, Michigan’s new head coach, smiles as he is surrounded by members of the media during a press conference inside the Junge Family Champions Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.
(David Rodriguez Munoz, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore walks around the field after team arrive for the game between Ohio State and Michigan at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore celebrates with defensive back Brandyn Hillman.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Jan 19, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore fires up the crowd in overtime of the basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore leads his team onto the field for the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore prepares to take the field before the the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch)

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
(Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play against Purdue during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore hugs Washington head coach Jedd Fisch after 24-7 win at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Sherrone Moore of the Michigan Wolverines arrives before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
(Jason Mowry, Getty Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shakes hands with USC head coach Lincoln Riley after 27-24 win at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore walks towards the locker room as team arrive ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore before the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the first half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore greets Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer after the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore leaves the field after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Michigan Wolverines at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-13.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
(Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images)

University of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore celebrates after beating the University of Alabama on Dec. 31, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore fires up the student section during warm up ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, center, speaks to players after the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

Several years ago, a reporter asked Nick Saban whether he'd consider running for public office. He shot down the idea with a single word: No.

Saban just as easily could have said, "Why would I consider a demotion?"

Governor or senator would have been a step down from the demigod stature he attained as Alabama's coach.

Sure, the pressures of the job can chew up a coach, but if DeBoer feared a challenge, he never would have left Washington and signed on to replace the irreplaceable.

I could argue DeBoer would have been smart to free himself from Saban's shadow and opt instead for cleaning up Michigan's mess. DeBoer cannot possibly hurdle the bar Saban set, and only a national championship will placate Alabama fans. Then, they'll want another.

By comparison, clearing Sherrone Moore's bar would only require avoiding national shame and staying out of jail.

But, if DeBoer had left Alabama for Michigan, he would've been branded a coward who ran. Who would welcome that narrative? And, if the price of failing to meet Alabama's standards becomes a $50 million buyout check, well, would that be so bad?

Anyway, DeBoer announced he's "fully committed" to Alabama and not interested in job hopping.

Where does that leave Michigan? That mountaineer keeps yodeling up the mountainside. It's not panic mode — yet.

Kalen DeBoer says no to Michigan, other candidates stay quiet

DeBoer's intentions provide clarity. If he'd wanted out of Tuscaloosa, then this coaching search would've been straightforward. You ask him whether he desires a seven- or eight-year contract at Michigan, what make and model of courtesy vehicle he wants to drive, and that's that.

DeBoer doesn't want out of Alabama, and so now Michigan can move on.

Lest you think Michigan teeters on the brink of the abyss, I'd point out DeBoer's public rebuff of Michigan did not ignite a trend. So far, I hear only hear crickets from the likes of Louisville's Jeff Brohm , Missouri 's Eli Drinkwitz or Washington's Jedd Fisch.

Missouri is not college football's mecca. Just saying.

Here's the red flag with Michigan (Hint: It's not Sherrone Moore)

Moore's rap sheet is a black eye for Michigan, but it's not a red flag for this job.

More likely to give job candidates pause is the university's unstable alignment.

Michigan treks up the mountainside with an interim president, and athletic director Warde Manuel gives off the whiff of a lame duck, or at least a wounded duck, while his athletic department undergoes investigation for this latest scandal to occur under his watch .

In other words, the coach Michigan hires must accept the realities of shifting university alignment and the possibility of getting a new boss in the new year.

And, still, I cannot deny this would be a tempting level-up opportunity for someone like Drinkwitz or even Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham or Vanderbilt's Clark Lea, a coach who's punching above his program's weight class and might sense it's time to springboard off that success, rather than risk staying in place too long and missing his window, akin to Mark Stoops at Kentucky .

Coaching searches rarely function as a neat line from starting point to dream candidate. Penn State stumbled around for nearly two months before backdooring its way to a solid hire of Iowa State's Matt Campbell .

Michigan lacks the luxury of time. While DeBoer prepares for the College Football Playoff, and the transfer portal opens in just more than two weeks. That's the cliff.

Has Michigan reached the point where it's ready to humbly ask Drinkwitz or Fisch if he can put a stop to that yodeling mountaineer?

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No Michigan for Kalen DeBoer, so what's next in coach search?

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