After Alabama’s jarring Week One loss to Florida State, the conversation in Tuscaloosa has already shifted from performance to job security. Second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer is suddenly the subject of betting odds regarding his replacement, and several notable names from the Big 12 are listed among the early favorites.
According to a Sportsbetting.ag graphic shared on social media, three Big 12 coaches are receiving significant attention:
- Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State) at 7/1
- Deion Sanders (Colorado) at 8/1
- Matt Campbell (Iowa State) at 18/1
The speculation follows Alabama’s 31–17 defeat at home, a game in which the Crimson Tide looked flat and unprepared against a Florida State team that finished 2–10 last year. National analysts have since piled on, with ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky questioning whether DeBoer will “survive September.”
Big 12 coaching names in the mix reflect how the conference has grown in both reputation and influence. Dillingham’s rise at Arizona State included a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024, and he continues to be one of the sport’s youngest rising minds. Sanders, whose presence at Colorado turned heads last season, remains one of the most marketable and polarizing coaches in the game. Campbell’s Iowa State program has been a model of consistency, and his name has circulated in coaching rumors for years.
DeBoer, who came to Alabama after a successful stint at Washington, was expected to bring offensive innovation and stability. Instead, his tenure is off to a rocky start. The loss to Florida State not only sparked questions about execution and leadership but also opened the door for speculation about the long-term direction of the program.
For the Big 12, the moment underscores a broader truth. Coaches from the league are no longer just mentioned as dark horses or cultural fits. They are now viewed as legitimate contenders for one of the most demanding and visible jobs in college football. Whether DeBoer turns things around or not, the interest in Big 12 coaching talent speaks volumes about where the league stands in 2025.
