The future of Alabama football could be decided in Norman, Oklahoma.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has emerged as a favorite to be Michigan's next head coach after the Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore earlier this week. Between now and that looming decision, though, the No. 9 Crimson Tide will play the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Kalen DeBoer considered favorite to be Michigan's next head coach
Multiple outlets have reported DeBoer as a serious candidate to replace Moore. Some Vegas oddsmakers have even listed DeBoer as the favorite to be Michigan's next head coach.
The immediate question, though, has been why DeBoer would leave a program like Alabama, where resources and talent are overflowing, and DeBoer already has the Crimson Tide in the playoff in just Year 2 after replacing Nick Saban. But DeBoer needed an Uncle Ben in his life to warn him that with great power comes great responsibility.
DeBoer went 9-4 in his first season leading the Crimson Tide while just missing out on a playoff spot, and there were many fans who wanted that to be his only year in Alabama. Bama then lost its season opener to Florida State, and it looked like DeBoer would be the first domino to fall in what's been a wild coaching carousel this year.
But the Crimson Tide turned things around and didn't lose again until a home loss to the Sooners. A 10-2 regular season put Bama in a rematch with Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, where the Crimson Tide were blown out in Round 2 to drop to 10-3 and just sneak into the CFP.
In Alabama, though, 10-4 while falling short of an SEC title and in the first round of the playoff is a disappointment, no matter how long you've been there. A second upset loss to OU (Bama is favored in the rematch) in the same season and first-round exit would put DeBoer on the hot seat in Tuscaloosa, the only place where those results put a coach's job in danger.
With everything, timing is key, as the Wolverines likely want their new coach by when the Transfer Portal opens on Jan. 2. If Bama beats the Sooners, the Crimson Tide will move on to play No. 1 Indiana in the quarterfinals, keeping DeBoer busy until at least Jan. 1. That would also please Bama brass and fans, taking some heat off DeBoer to at least make him comfortable until next season.
However, if the Crimson Tide fail, DeBoer will be free a week early to at least entertain Michigan's offer while fans back in Alabama could be forcing him away. DeBoer's career choice might not be decided in Alabama or Michigan, but in Oklahoma on Owen Field.