Mike DeBord

Mike DeBord (born February 7, 1956) is an American football coach who currently serves as the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee. DeBord was the head football coach at Central Michigan University from 2000 to 2003, compiling a record of 12–34. He worked as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan for a total of 11 seasons, from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2004 to 2007. He was the offensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines for five seasons (1997–1999, 2006–2007) including Michigan's 1997 campaign, in which the team won a national championship. DeBord has also worked as an assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL), with the Seattle Seahawks (2008–2009) and the Chicago Bears (2010–2012).

Early playing and coaching career

DeBord graduated from Wes-Del High School in Delaware County, Indiana. He started for four years on the offensive line at Manchester College, receiving all-conference, all-district and honorable mention NAIA All-America honors during the 1977 season when he was captain. DeBord would later earn a master's degree from Ball State in 1981. He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1995.^[1]

In 1982, DeBord embarked on a coaching career that included stops at Franklin College, Fort Hays State University, Eastern Illinois University, Ball State University, Colorado State University and Northwestern University before joining the Michigan staff under head coach Gary Moeller. At Michigan, he served as offensive line coach from 1992 to 1996. In 1997, he was promoted to offensive coordinator. During DeBord's first year as offensive coordinator in 1997, Michigan won their first national championship since 1948. As the offensive coordinator at Michigan, DeBord posted a 52–11 regular season record and a post season record of 4–1.

Central Michigan

DeBord was hired as the head football coach at Central Michigan by athletic director Herb Deromedi in 2000.^[2] He would go on to post a 12–34 record, resigning after the 2003 season.^[3]

Return to Michigan

DeBord rejoined the Wolverines in 2004 as special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator, taking over the role filled by the retiring Bobby Morrison. DeBord served in that capacity for two seasons before succeeding Terry Malone as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2006. Malone had previously replaced DeBord when DeBord took the head coaching job at Central Michigan in 2000.

DeBord was a candidate for the head coaching position at Michigan following the retirement of Lloyd Carr in 2007.^[4] The job ultimately went to Rich Rodriguez, who jettisoned all Michigan assistant coaches except running backs coach Fred Jackson.^[5]

NFL

On March 5, 2008, the Seattle Seahawks announced that DeBord had been hired as the assistant offensive line coach. DeBord was promoted to tight end coach for the 2009 season.

On February 2, 2010, the Chicago Bears announced DeBord as their new tight ends coach, after coming to terms for the 2010 season.^[6] DeBord was dismissed by new head coach Marc Trestman on January 17, 2013.^[7]

Sports administration

On February 1, 2013, DeBord was hired by Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon to be the sports administrator for the school's Olympic sports teams. In this role he works with the field hockey, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's gymnastics, men's and women's track and field, and men's and women's tennis programs.^[8]

Offensive coordinator at Tennessee

On February 5, 2015, DeBord was hired by Tennessee head coach Butch Jones as offensive coordinator, replacing Mike Bajakian, who left to become quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.^[9][10] Jones had previously worked under DeBord as an assistant coach at Central Michigan.^[11]

Head coaching record

References

External links

• Tennessee profile
• Mike DeBord at the College Football Data Warehouse