Kalen DeBoer named a top target for Big Ten job opening

Aug 30, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer looks on against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

The Centre Daily Times’ Penn State beat reporter, Jon Sauber said Alabama football’s head coach Kalen DeBoer is a top target for Penn State on Tide 100. 9’s The Game with Ryan Fowler.

The Nittany Lions are looking for their next head football coach after firing James Franklin. Sauber feels the chances of Penn State possibly landing DeBoer got a little life when the Tide lost to Oklahoma.

“He’s been one of Penn State’s top targets from the beginning,” Sauber said. “I think it was, early on, a little bit pie in the sky, of course, Alabama’s close game with South Carolina, there was a chance it could have picked up there. It didn’t, and then the loss to Oklahoma nudged the door open a little bit. I still think Alabama would have to miss the playoffs to make this a real possibility, which, obviously, would include a loss to Auburn to end the year. And I’m sure the reaction down there wouldn’t be great. He’s been the top target since early on; I know they have a lot of respect for him and what he’s done in his career, and he’s someone that they think would be an excellent coach here at Penn State.”

Alabama and DeBoer remain in position to win a conference championship and possibly a National Championship with full control of their own destiny. The Tide returns to action Saturday to take on Eastern Illinois at home.