Will Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer be coaching his team in the College Football Playoff?
Is Kalen DeBoer Still Coaching Alabama in the CFP?
One Team. One Goal. 👊#RollTide pic.twitter.com/PLkM425WXi
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 19, 2025
When the Crimson Tide suits up on Friday night, they will have their head coach on the sidelines.
DeBoer will coach Alabama in the team’s opening round playoff game against Oklahoma.
As of December 19, DeBoer is still the head coach. Win or lose, DeBoer will unquestionably be one of the candidates for the head coaching vacancy at Michigan.
The DeBoer to Michigan rumors have heated up significantly since Sherrone Moore’s firing.
If Alabama loses, those rumors will only intensify as Alabama fans question if they have the right coach in the post-Nick Saban era.
In 2024, DeBoer took the Alabama job and led the Crimson Tide to a 9-4 record. However, the team missed the CFP, and for a team that won six national championships with Saban, that was an unacceptable result.
This season, DeBoer rebounded with a 10-3 record, which included a win at Georgia during the regular season. Despite losing to Georgia in the SEC Championship, the Crimson Tide made the College Football Playoff as the No. 9 seed, meaning they will be on the road in the opening round.
If Alabama does win, DeBoer’s name would still be in contention at Michigan.
Earlier this week, DeBoer said he is “fully committed” to Alabama and has no interest in other head coaching opportunities.
“I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job,” DeBoer said in a statement released through Yea Alabama, the school’s NIL collective, via ESPN. “I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama.”
Alabama vs. Oklahoma Information
12 teams. One champion 🤩
It all starts tonight at 8 PM ET on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App 🏈 pic.twitter.com/7YyJWGPnEM
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 19, 2025
- 🏈 Game: Alabama vs. Oklahoma
- 🗓️ Date: Dec. 19
- 🕗 Time: 8 p.m. ET
- 🏟 Location: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium — Norman, Oklahoma
- 📺 TV Channel: ESPN, ABC
- 💻 Live Stream: ESPN App
The No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3) heads into Norman to take on the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners (10-2).
The game is a rematch of the Nov. 15 game, which saw Oklahoma win 23-21 in Tuscaloosa.
Both teams enter the game with something to prove.
The Alabama offense has been underwhelming for the last month. The last time the Crimson Tide played, they lost 28-7 to Georgia and accumulated negative three rushing yards.
Speaking of offense, Oklahoma’s offense has not been the same since John Mateer returned from his hand injury.
The Sooners have scored 17 points apiece in two consecutive games.
Friday night could be a low-scoring affair, and whichever defense holds strong could be the difference.
The winner of this game moves on to face No. 1 Indiana.
