Kalen DeBoer Speaks Out on Michigan HC Interest, Explains Why He Stayed at Alabama

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer acknowledged Michigan's interest in hiring him this offseason but said it was never a consideration.

"I would have had to be living under a rock [not to know]," he told Chris Low of On3 regarding the rumors. "I'm not naïve. ... I never talked to anyone [at Michigan], not one time. I just don't know how you could live with yourself and look into your players' eyes if you're looking at other opportunities in the midst of the season and getting ready for a playoff game and hopefully making a run at a national championship. So it was a pretty easy decision not to engage with them. I didn't come here to follow Coach Saban only to turn around after two years and go somewhere else. I mean, this is Alabama. I'm at an amazing place. That's the way I was looking at it. I chose to be here. I love the support and love our players and love the direction and everything the staff has done to put the pieces together here over the last two years. A lot of heavy lifting's been done to get us to this point. That will continue to happen. But man, we're right here where we want to be, and I plan on being here for a while."

In two seasons with Alabama, DeBoer has led the Crimson Tide to a 20-8 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff. But in December, rumors began circulating that Michigan was interested in hiring him to replace the fired Sherrone Moore.

Instead, the Wolverines ultimately turned to Kyle Wittingham and DeBoer remained in Tuscaloosa, where he will look to return the program to the heights achieved by his predecessor, Nick Saban.