Alabama and Kalen DeBoer's camp are discussing a contract extension for the second-year Crimson Tide coach, according to a report from On3 on Sunday. The report indicated the sides are having "ongoing talks" but nothing has been agreed upon or signed at this time.
The report comes on the heels of DeBoer releasing a statement earlier Sunday denying interest in any other vacancies. DeBoer is an oft-mentioned target of the freshly-opened Michigan job, and was a person of interest in the Penn State search that ultimately landed on Matt Campbell.
"My family and I are very happy in Tuscaloosa and remain extremely grateful for the support of President (Dr. Peter J.) Mohler, (athletics director) Greg Byrne, the Board (of Trustees) and so many others. We have an incredible opportunity in front of us, so my sole focus is on Alabama football and our preparations to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff," DeBoer said.
"I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job. I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the head football coach at the University of Alabama."
DeBoer's statement could call into question the need for an extension, but this is college football, after all.
"We are proud to have Coach DeBoer leading our football program at The University of Alabama," AD Greg Byrne said. "He is an incredible coach and does an excellent job with the development of our student-athletes, both on and off the field. Just as he is committed to this team, we are committed to him, and we look forward to taking the field Friday in the first round of the College Football Playoff."
The 51-year-old is under contract through Dec. 31, 2031 on a deal that paid him $10.25 million in 2025 with quarter-million dollar raises per year. He would owe $4 million to get out of the contract before the end of the year, and $3 million if he left in 2026. The coach-end buyout disappears after next year.
DeBoer is 19-7 to date at Alabama. His 2024 team rose to No. 1 in the country after a late-September win over No. 2 Georgia, but finished 9-3 and missed the College Football Playoff due to a 24-3 loss to 6-6 Oklahoma. This year's squad sits at 10-3 ahead of their return to Norman for a CFP first-round game on Friday (8 p.m. ET, ABC). Alabama finished in first place in the SEC's regular season but lost 28-7 to Georgia in the title game on Dec. 6.