Alabama's Kalen DeBoer reportedly will be a 'factor' in Michigan coaching search

The coaching carousel just took a wild turn on Wednesday following news that Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore after two seasons leading the program. 

A Dec. 10 firing isn't an ideal time for a program to look for a new coach. The early signing period began last week. Most potential top candidates have already been hired or have signed contract extensions.

The College Football Playoff is set to begin on Dec. 19 between No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama. 

There could be some disruption in the Crimson Tide's locker room after a report from On3's Pete Nakos surfaced not long after Moore was fired. 

Alabama's Kalen DeBoer expected to be in play for Michigan 

Per Nakos, the rumors regarding DeBoer and Penn State had no substance before the Nittany Lions ultimately hired Matt Campbell from Iowa State. However, DeBoer will be a "factor" in Michigan's coaching search.

DeBoer would have been a candidate for the Wolverines in the same hiring cycle (2023) that he left Washington for Alabama, but Jim Harbaugh had not yet left Michigan amid the program's run at the national title. 

DeBoer has his sights set on trying to lead the Crimson Tide to the CFP championship this year. Still, the marriage between DeBoer and Alabama has never felt natural during his two seasons in Tuscaloosa.

DeBoer is 19-7 during his two seasons at Alabama. The Crimson Tide backed into the CFP this season after losing to Georgia, 23-21, on Nov. 15. Georgia dominated the Crimson Tide 28-7 in the SEC Championship Game.

While that kind of success might mean something at Arkansas, Alabama fans and boosters have high expectations for the program after seeing how Nick Saban led the program. 

DeBoer is a good coach, and there's good reason for Michigan to want him. DeBoer is 56-16 overall as a head coach at the FBS level, and he led Washington to an appearance in the 2023 national championship. The Wolverines defeated DeBoer's team 34-13 in the national championship.