Michigan focusing in on former Big 12 coach, putting definitive end to DeBoer rumors

Sep 27, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham celebrates with fans after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

If punching a ticket to the Rose Bowl wasn’t enough to convince people that Kalen DeBoer is staying at Alabama, then the news of a new candidate emerging in Michigan’s coaching search will.

Multiple reports say Michigan’s new target is former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. A few weeks ago, he announced his plans of stepping down from his role as head coach of the Utes at the end of the season, but he is going to coach Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.

The DeBoer to Michigan rumors did not automatically go away after Alabama’s 34-24 win over Oklahoma to advance to the Rose Bowl, but it sounds like Michigan is in a hurry to get a new head coach because of the college football calendar.

As Alabama is preparing for the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, the fresher topic of DeBoer signing an extension is one that most fans want to see happen to officially end the talk centered around DeBoer and Michigan.