Report: Kalen DeBoer, Mike Norvell, Tommy Rees to interview for Alabama head coach position

While Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne has told us to believe nothing about the coaching search, there is still speculation out there. Oregon‘s Dan Lanning put an end to his name being linked with the Crimson Tide, announcing he will not be leaving Eugene. A few names remain to replace Nick Saban and according to a report, three could earn interviews.

“Among those emerging as serious contenders along the lines of earning interviews: Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, Florida State coach Mike Norvell and incumbent Tide offensive coordinator Tommy Rees,” John Brice of Football Scoop said.

If Lanning was the hottest name out the gates, the title may not belong to DeBoer. He is fresh off a national championship appearance and is a proven winner. DeBoer’s story was told many times while Washington made a College Football Playoff run, beginning at Sioux Falls and eventually landing in Seattle.

A number Alabama fans could get behind is DeBoer’s career record as a head coach, coming in at 104-12. While the majority of those wins are not at the FBS level, it speaks to the type of programs DeBoer has built in the past.

Norvell falls second on the list from Brice, potentially making the move from Florida State. Just over a month after the Seminoles were left out of the College Football Playoff in favor of Alabama, maybe Norvell will have the opportunity to take over the Crimson Tide.

The last two seasons have been a big success in Tallahassee, even with the frustration at the end of this season. Norvell is 23-4 at Florida State since 2022 but 31-17 overall. One ACC Championship is on the resume too, coming at the hands of Louisville in December.

And then there is Rees, who would be the most familiar candidate of them all. Saban hired Rees this offseason to replace Bill O’Brien, snatching him from Notre Dame. There was a learning curve for the Alabama offense this season but things eventually got figured out with Jalen Milroe at quarterback.

Rees has never been a head coach in his life and is less than a decade into his coaching career.

While they are not at the interview stage, Brice did mention two other names for Alabama. Current Maryland head coach Mike Locksley, who spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa as an assistant. Mizzou‘s Eli Drinkwitz was also mentioned fresh off a historic season with the Tigers.