The Michigan Wolverines’ coaching search has taken a turn as doubts have surfaced about whether athletic director Warde Manuel will take part. The Wolverines have been plunged into crisis after firing former coach Sherrone Moore for cause on Wednesday.
Several names have been linked to the prestigious Big Ten job. Still, the most prominent has been Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who is preparing his No. 9 Crimson Tide for a tough first-round trip to Norman to face the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners next week.
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$54 M Coach Added to Michigan Hot Board After Kalen DeBoer Decision
During the “CBS Sports College Football Show” on Saturday, analyst Rick Neuheisel revealed that DeBoer was happy at Alabama, while linking Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch to the vacant Michigan job.
“My sources say, Kalen DeBoer is happy in Tuscaloosa, and he’ll stay there. Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State is a hot, young prospect, and I know he’s very comfortable at his alma mater in Tempe, but look for him to be contacted.
“Then, Jedd Fisch at Washington, he’s an old Michigan guy. He was with Harbaugh in 15-16. So, wouldn’t be surprised for him to get a call.”
Fisch has a 15-11 record at Washington after succeeding DeBoer when he took the Alabama job last year, signing a seven-year, $54 million contract in the process. On Saturday, Fisch led the Huskies to the LA Bowl after beating the Boise State Broncos 38-10 to cement a 9-4 record this season.
Analyst Dismisses DeBoer to Michigan Links
During Friday’s segment of ESPN’s “Get Up” show, analyst Josh Pate dismissed speculation about DeBoer’s happiness at Alabama and whether he would leave the marquee job for Michigan.
“There’s this misnomer out there, mainly created on the internet to make others feel good about their argument to get him, that he’s (DeBoer) miserable at Alabama, which couldn’t be further from the case,” Pate said.
“I don’t think he wants to get to Alabama, and, in two years, says, ‘Nah, I’m done.’ Kalen DeBoer is a pretty fiery competitor. I’d be hard pressed to see him leaving, but that doesn’t mean Michigan shouldn’t go after him.”
Despite completing a 10-3 season, reaching the SEC championship game, and clinching a spot in the College Football Playoff, DeBoer has been placed on the hot seat in some quarters after disappointing losses to the Florida State Seminoles, Oklahoma Sooners, and Georgia Bulldogs.
DeBoer has lost to the Sooners twice in his Alabama tenure, and the playoff game against them on Friday is the biggest in his career, with the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers waiting in the Rose Bowl should he pull off the win. According to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter, Bama has a 9.87% chance of winning the national championship.