Crain & Company Michigan Football TOP Coaching Candidates | Would Kalen DeBoer Leave Alabama?
Dec 12, 2025
Michigan's coaching vacancy stirs up excitement as top contenders are revealed. Kalen DeBoer stands out as the prime candidate following his success at Washington. The discussion tackles possible fits from the NFL, while evaluating obstacles for coaches transitioning to college. Outlandish candidates, like John Gruden, are analyzed alongside more practical options. They explore the influence of donors on decisions and speculate on who Michigan should reach out to next, including big names like Lane Kiffin and Lincoln Riley.
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Kalen DeBoer Sets The Bar
- Kalen DeBoer is considered the standard Michigan should target after his Washington run and national title game appearance.
- David Cone and Blaine Crain note his hiring would set a high bar or make the search pointless otherwise.
Potential Offensive Identity Shift
- Hiring DeBoer would alter Michigan's offensive identity away from a traditional power-run focus.
- The hosts question whether Michigan fans want that philosophical shift despite potential QB upside.
Jesse Minter's Hire Complications
- Jesse Minter's NFL role and a reported show-cause penalty complicate his immediate hireability.
- The hosts note uncertainty about whether the show-cause would block a college hire until April 2026.