Last season produced the wildest head coach hiring cycle we have seen in college football, and while on the surface it looks like this year will be much more tame, all it takes is one or two dominos for chaos to ensue.

Southern California head coach Lincoln Riley is in some hot water as his Trojans have underachieved once again, and he could be on his way out in Los Angeles. If the USC job were to open up, the big-time program reportedly has Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer circled as their top candidate.

CBS national college football reported John Talty went on the record and said if USC does make a move on Riley, DeBoer would be their top choice to replace him.

“If USC were to make a move, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer would be at the top of the list.” @JTalty pic.twitter.com/4Rza4TV4Oh

— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 29, 2026

“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.

Now, it’s important to note that when both Penn State and Michigan were looking for a coach and had DeBoer circled, he would have to actually have interest in order for anything to happen here. Just as was the case last season, he has given no indication of a desire to leave Alabama. While he is the most criticized coach in the country, every time a job opens up, it seems he is the top name on the list.

DeBoer has business to take care of down the stretch in Tuscaloosa, but it sounds like Alabama fans are going to have to hear rumors of their head coach’s imminent departure for the second straight year.