The first game of the 2025 College Football Playoff is in the books. Alabama went on the road to take on Oklahoma and came away with the 34-24 victory.
The Crimson Tide will now advance to the quarterfinals, where they will play No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl. With Alabama still alive, a ripple effect from the outcome of the game could end up reaching a different team in the Big Ten.
The Michigan Wolverines are still in need of a head coach. Sherrone Moore was fired for cause in mid-December, and the Wolverines have yet to hire a replacement. There have been plenty of rumors that Michigan is interested in Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide’s win over the Sooners in the first round could take DeBoer off the table before official talks are even held.
Here is more on how Alabama’s win over Oklahoma could complicate Michigan’s search for a new head coach.
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How does Alabama's win over Oklahoma impact Michigan?
Alabama remains in the College Football Playoff after a win over Oklahoma. Even though Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer denied that he has considered leaving the program and remains committed to Alabama, Michigan has interest in DeBoer.
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported ahead of Alabama's win against Oklahoma that his sources said that Michigan remains intent on trying to hire DeBoer away from Alabama.
The Crimson Tide winning, however, could make this tougher for the Wolverines. Alabama does not play again until New Year’s Day. DeBoer could theoretically meet with Michigan during that time, but at this stage it is much more likely that he would remain focused on the Crimson Tide until their playoff run ends.
The longer Michigan waits to hire a new head coach, the tougher its offseason could become. The Wolverines need to focus on retaining players and attracting recruits, both of which are aided by having a head coach in place. Michigan could risk losing players to the transfer portal or seeing recruits decommit if it waits too long to make a hire.
Thamel added that Alabama officials had “aggressively” worked to sign DeBoer to a new deal to keep him in Tuscaloosa, but nothing had been finalized ahead of kickoff against Oklahoma.
DeBoer's seat at Alabama wasn't hot heading into the playoff. While the Crimson Tide expects to compete for national championships every season, the head coach led them to the SEC Championship and a playoff berth in his second season. Many likely began to wonder if DeBoer can win an important postseason game, but the comeback win over Oklahoma showed that the answer for now is yes. This win, regardless of what happens next, could help both the Crimson Tide faithful and DeBoer feel more comfortable, resulting in his staying at the school.
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Kalen DeBoer contract buyout
When we hear about coaching buyouts, it tends to be through the lens of a school firing a head coach before the end of his signed contract, requiring the school to buy out the coach.
While less common, there are times when a head coach wants to take another job and must buy his way out of a current deal. DeBoer signed an eight-year contract with Alabama that runs through the 2031 season. He is set to make $10.25 million per year and has a buyout clause.
If DeBoer leaves for another program before January 1, 2026, he will owe Alabama $4 million. On and after January 1, 2026, if he left the Crimson Tide for another head coaching job, the buyout price drops to $3 million.
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Michigan coaching candidates
Michigan fired Sherrone Moore with cause in mid-December after two years with the program. The news was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dan Wetzel. According to the report, Michigan launched an investigation that found “credible evidence” that Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
The Wolverines made the decision they had to, but the timing couldn't have been worse. The head coaching carousel has largely already played out, meaning Michigan will likely have to pick the best from what is left or entice a head coach away from their current program.
DeBoer, despite claims that he has no interest in leaving Alabama, remains linked to Michigan. If the Wolverines don't take him away from the Crimson Tide, other coaching candidates that could be linked to Michigan are former LSU head coach Brian Kelly, USC head coach Lincoln Riley, Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham and UNLV head coach Dan Mullen.
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When is Alabama's next game?
Alabama's win over Oklahoma solidified the Crimson Tide's date with the No. 1 team in the country. Alabama will take on No. 1 Indiana at the Rose Bowl on January 1, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.