With Sherrone Moore Out at Michigan, What is the Dream CFB Coaching Carousel Outcome?
Step up on my friends, and welcome to Imagination Land.
The firing of Sherrone Moore and vacancy at Michigan has reignited the rumor mill of the coaching carousel. Could the university manage to steal Kalen DeBoer away from Alabama?
If that happens, the ripple effects could be significant—and Bama, once Nick Saban says no, might love to have a familiar name on Line 1.
And what a saga that would become.
Folks, we know these specific details may not be likely but we're simply stepping back and letting our imaginations run free.
Kalen DeBoer to Michigan
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It is almost impossible for Kalen DeBoer to please Alabama fans.
No, that's not a comfortable statement. The reality is, though, that DeBoer is the successor to the legend of legends—and Nick Saban even still has an office at the university. DeBoer will always be compared to Saban.
So, hey, maybe he leaves for Ann Arbor and they will make the call. Maybe he stays in Tuscaloosa, where he just guided the Crimson Tide to a 10-3 mark and College Football Playoff bid.
We know one thing, either way: Michigan should be calling him.
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.
This is the absolute best-case scenario for the Maize and Blue, particularly with quarterback Bryce Underwood as a cornerstone piece.
Lane Kiffin to Alabama
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Here in Imagination Land, buyout money is not real. The financial aspect of Lane Kiffin bolting LSU after two weeks is unfathomable.
If DeBoer were to leave, however, Kiffin would be the theoretical No. 1 target.
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.
Kiffin, the coordinator of Bama's offenses from 2014-16, would undoubtedly have the blessing of Saban, who remains a mentor to him today.
Kenny Dillingham to LSU
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Given what LSU would be losing in Kiffin—and how poorly the offense performed in 2025—a similar-minded head coach should be LSU's priority.
One of dissimilar demeanor to Brian Kelly would be helpful, too.
Kenny Dillingham is a young, spirited coach who's lauded for his offensive acumen. He oversaw an incredible turnaround at Arizona State, which was a complete mess upon his arrival in 2023 and celebrated a Big 12 title in his second year. Injuries stung ASU badly in 2025, yet the Sun Devils still finished 8-4.
Provide the LSU-level resources to a coach like Dillingham, and he could quickly reestablish the Tigers as national contenders.
Dan Mullen to Arizona State
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Arizona State fans, I hear you. Dillingham might not even entertain bolting his alma mater. He's already the dream coach—in reality—for ASU.
The byproduct of LSU's wishes, nevertheless, creates a void in Tempe.
Former coordinator Billy Napier is worth mentioning, but a rough four-year stint at Florida is difficult to sell him as a dream hire.
Meanwhile, a previous four-year tenure in Gainesville that doesn't look so bad anymore is that of Dan Mullen. The predecessor to Napier—who went 22-23 at UF—Mullen notched a 34-15 record with the Gators.
Most recently, he inherited a UNLV program that needed a rebuild on the fly because of Barry Odom's success prior to his exit for Purdue. Mullen reshaped the roster in the portal and posted a 10-3 mark in 2025.
In the unlikely event Dillingham would leave, Mullen is a strong pivot.
Brian Kelly to UNLV
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Go big or go home, baby! That's the Las Vegas way.
Again, we can acknowledge any number of factors here. Among them, I'm not convinced Brian Kelly is interested in not coaching a power-conference team after stints at Notre Dame and LSU.
The premise, though, lets our minds wander. UNLV could do far, far worse than hiring someone with a 113-40 record at ND and 34-14 mark at LSU—let alone his success for Grand Valley State, Central Michigan and Cincinnati.
Kelly can build a program, no question about it.
Plus, since resources are limited at UNLV, hiring a big-name candidate like Kelly with offset language in his buyout would be ideal. UNLV could be comfortable as a stepping-stone job for Kelly while rehabbing his coaching reputation.
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