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USC reportedly has Kalen DeBoer in mind for potential HC change
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

USC reportedly has Alabama's Kalen DeBoer in mind for potential coaching change

By Andrew Wright  |  Last updated Oct 30, 2026 8:33 AM ET
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One of the major storylines to watch during the remainder of the college football season is the possible departure of USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley.

Despite being six seasons into his tenure at USC, Riley has yet to come away with a marquee win that proves he can get the Trojans back to competing for national championship.

Fans and media have been cranking up the pressure on Riley, and a divorce between the two sides feels distinctly possible during or after this season. If that indeed happens, it appears that USC has its top target to replace Riley in mind.

Kaen DeBoer is a top target to replace Lincoln Riley

According to John Talty of CBS Sports, current Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is at the top of the list to replace Riley should a change be made.

Talty reported that USC's interest in DeBoer is an open secret in the industry and that it could start a major domino effect around college football.

"It's kind of an open secret in the industry that if USC were to make a move, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer would be at the top of the list," Talty said. "That's what I was talking about earlier with potential dominoes. Things could get real wild real fast if a couple things go a certain way."

What would it take for USC to part ways with Lincoln Riley?

During the tenure of Riley at USC, the program has reached the conference championship game just once (2022) and has failed to ever reach the College Football Playoff.

The Trojans are on a trajectory to miss both again this season, as they are 6-2 through eight games and will likely be underdogs in at least two and possibly even three of their final four games.

The likeliest of scenarios for the departure of Riley from USC would be a poor finish to the season that included multiple losses and another year of no conference championship game and no appearance in the CFP.

Riley has remained adamant throughout the season that he believes he is the right man for the job at USC and that is where he wants to be.

Would Kalen DeBoer leave Alabama for USC?

DeBoer left his previous West Coast coaching job at Washington to take over for the legendary Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. It would seem that a move from an elite program like Alabama and going back out west to a program such as USC would be backward step in his coaching path.

There is also the money aspect of things, as DeBoer signed a new seven-year, $87.5 million contract ahead of the 2026 season. DeBoer is earning $12.5 million per season, and the contract runs through the 2032 season. There are many different aspects and factors that would go into DeBoer even considering a move from Alabama to USC. 

It will be intriguing to see how the remainder of the season plays out for both the Trojans and Crimson Tide, as well as seeing what the future holds for both current head coaches with their respective programs.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan. 

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