For the past few weeks, there have been rumors that Penn State may be looking at Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer to replace former head coach James Franklin, whom they fired in the middle of the football season.
In fact, according to this rumor, DeBoer was supposed to be hired by Penn State, and Lane Kiffin was coming to Alabama.
Soon, the rumors were also picked up by reporters in State College, and even NFL football analyst Bobby Carpenter added his two cents to the situation, suggesting DeBoer was not happy in Tuscaloosa.
“I don’t know how much Kalen DeBoer actually likes being the head coach at Alabama,” Carpenter said.
But on Thursday during the SEC Championship press conference, the coach put those rumors to rest.
“There’s never been any link,” DeBoer said. “There’s never been any conversation. There’s never been any interest either way. And I’m so glad we can put that to bed right now.”
DeBoer added that he and his family are “extremely happy” in Tuscaloosa.
“Love the challenge,” DeBoer said. “Love the grind. Love this place.”
DeBoer came to Tuscaloosa from Washington after leading them to the national championship game against Michigan after Nick Saban retired from Alabama back in January 2024.
He had a somewhat rocky start to his career at Alabama when his team went 9-4 and barely missed the College Football Playoff.
This year, his team is in the SEC Championship Game and on the verge of making the College Football Playoff with a win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.
Many think even if Alabama loses, unless it’s a bad loss, they are firmly in the playoff.