Mike DeBord

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Mike DeBord

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1956|02|07}}

| birth_place = Muncie, Indiana, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|04|15|1956|02|07}}

| death_place =

| alma_mater =

| player_years1 = 1975-1977

| player_team1 = Manchester (IN)

| player_positions = Offensive lineman

| coach_years1 = 1982–1983

| coach_team1 = Franklin (IN) (OL)

| coach_years2 = 1984

| coach_team2 = Fort Hays State (OL)

| coach_years3 = 1985–1986

| coach_team3 = Fort Hays State (OC/QB/WR)

| coach_years4 = 1987–1988

| coach_team4 = Eastern Illinois (OL)

| coach_years5 = 1988–1989

| coach_team5 = Ball State (OL)

| coach_years6 = 1990–1991

| coach_team6 = Colorado State (OL)

| coach_years7 = 1992

| coach_team7 = Northwestern (OL)

| coach_years8 = 1993–1996

| coach_team8 = Michigan (OL)

| coach_years9 = 1997–1999

| coach_team9 = Michigan (OC)

| coach_years10 = 2000–2003

| coach_team10 = Central Michigan

| coach_years11 = 2004–2005

| coach_team11 = Michigan (ST/RC)

| coach_years12 = 2006–2007

| coach_team12 = Michigan (OC/TE)

| coach_years13 = 2008

| coach_team13 = Seattle Seahawks (AOL)

| coach_years14 = 2009

| coach_team14 = Seattle Seahawks (TE)

| coach_years15 = 2010–2012

| coach_team15 = Chicago Bears (TE)

| coach_years16 = 2015–2016

| coach_team16 = Tennessee (OC/QB)

| coach_years17 = 2017–2018

| coach_team17 = Indiana (AHC/OC/TE)

| coach_years18 = 2019

| coach_team18 = San Diego Fleet (OC)

| coach_years19 = 2020

| coach_team19 = Michigan (OA)

| coach_years20 = 2021

| coach_team20 = Kansas (OC/QB)

| overall_record = 12–34

| admin_years1 = 2013–2014

| admin_team1 = Michigan (sport admin)

| bowl_record =

| tournament_record =

| championships =

| awards = The Sporting News' National Assistant Coach of the Year (1997)

| coaching_records =

}}

Mike DeBord (February 7, 1956 – April 15, 2025) was an American college football coach who was a longtime assistant for the Michigan Wolverines and a head coach for the Central Michigan Chippewas. He was the offensive coordinator for the Wolverines for five seasons (1997–1999, 2006–2007) including Michigan's 1997 campaign, in which the team won part of a national championship. He was the head football coach at Central Michigan University from 2000 to 2003, compiling a record of 12–34.

DeBord 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 coached professionally as an assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL), with the Seattle Seahawks (2008–2009) and the Chicago Bears (2010–2012).

He was also the offensive coordinator of the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and was the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Indiana University prior to joining the AAF.Mike Griffith, "[https://www.seccountry.com/tennessee/debord-leaving Mike DeBord Leaving Tennessee Coordinator Post After Record-Breaking Season]," SEC Country, January 3, 2017.

Playing 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 later earned a master's degree from Ball State in 1981 while serving as a graduate assistant.

Coaching career

=Early years=

Debord's coaching career began in 1978 at South Decatur HS.{{Cite web |title=DeBORD, MIKE |url=https://ifca-hof.org/inductee/debord-mike/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Indiana Football Hall of Fame |language=en-US}} In 1982, DeBord embarked on a college coaching journey 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.

==First stint at Michigan==

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.

=Central Michigan=

DeBord was hired as the head football coach at Central Michigan by athletic director Herb Deromedi in 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.cm-life.com/2000/09/01/firstyearheadcoachmikedebordsettoleadchippewas/ |title=Central Michigan Life – First-year Head Coach Mike DeBord set to lead Chippewas |publisher=Cm-life.com |access-date=February 7, 2014 }} He would go on to post a 12–34 record, resigning after the 2003 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cm-life.com/2003/12/17/debordresignsascmufootballcoach/ |title=Central Michigan Life – DeBord resigns as CMU football coach |publisher=Cm-life.com |date=December 17, 2003 |access-date=February 7, 2014}} DeBord never won more than four games in a season in his time at Central Michigan.

=Assistant coach=

==Return to Michigan==

DeBord rejoined the Wolverines in 2004 as special teams and recruiting coordinator for head coach Lloyd Carr, 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20071127/SPORTS06/711270390/ |title=LOOKING WITHIN: English interviews; DeBord meets with AD today | Detroit Free Press |publisher=freep.com |date=November 27, 2007 |access-date=February 7, 2014 }} The job ultimately went to Rich Rodriguez, who fired all Michigan assistant coaches except running backs coach Fred Jackson.{{cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010808aab.html |title=Rodriguez Announces Coaching and Support Staffs - MGOBLUE.COM - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |publisher=Mgoblue.Com |access-date=February 7, 2014 }} As the offensive coordinator at Michigan, DeBord posted a 52–11 regular season record and a post season record of 4–1.

==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.{{cite web |url=http://www.csnchicago.com/02/02/10/Bears-Name-Mike-DeBord-Tight-Ends-Coach/landing.html?blockID=173941&feedID=626 |title=Bears Name Mike DeBord Tight Ends Coach |website=www.csnchicago.com |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724012015/http://www.csnchicago.com/02/02/10/Bears-Name-Mike-DeBord-Tight-Ends-Coach/landing.html?blockID=173941&feedID=626 |archive-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} DeBord was dismissed by new head coach Marc Trestman on January 17, 2013.{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Trestman-in-process-of-assembling-coaching-staff/4f4113be-7fad-45e3-9f02-65c7ad031dbd|title=Trestman in process of assembling coaching staff|publisher=Chicago Bears|date=January 17, 2013|access-date=January 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120194411/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Trestman-in-process-of-assembling-coaching-staff/4f4113be-7fad-45e3-9f02-65c7ad031dbd|archive-date=January 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}

==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.{{Cite web|url=http://allfortennessee.com/2015/02/05/report-vols-to-name-mike-debord-offensive-coordinator/|title = Report: Vols to Name Mike DeBord Offensive Coordinator|date = February 5, 2015}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2015/02/02/mike-debord-tennessee-volunteers-offensive-coordinator|title = Tennessee to hire Mike DeBord as offensive coordinator| newspaper=Sports Illustrated }} Jones had previously worked under DeBord as an assistant coach at Central Michigan."[http://www.knoxnews.com/govolsxtra/football/ut-debord-offensive-coordinator-announcement-expected-later-today Tennessee Names DeBord As New Vols Offensive Coordinator]," Knoxville News Sentinel, February 6, 2015. On January 3, 2017, it was announced that DeBord would be leaving Tennessee to become the offensive coordinator for Indiana.

==Indiana==

On January 4, 2017, Indiana head coach Tom Allen hired DeBord as offensive coordinator, replacing Kevin Johns, who departed the position for offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Western Michigan Broncos.{{cite web |title=Tom Allen Hires Mike DeBord And Grant Heard, Retains Shawn Watson|date=January 4, 2017 |url=https://indiana.rivals.com/news/tom-allen-hires-mike-deboard-and-grant-heard-retains-shawn-watson|publisher=indiana.rivals.com|access-date=September 25, 2018}} On December 30, 2018, DeBord announced his retirement from football.{{cite web|url=https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2018/12/30/football-debord-announces-retirement.aspx?path=football|title=DeBord Announces Retirement|publisher=IUHoosiers.com|date=December 30, 2018|access-date=December 31, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/indiana/Article/IU-offensive-coordinator-Mike-DeBord-announces-retirement-127072341/|title=IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord announces retirement|publisher=247Sports.com|date=December 30, 2018|access-date=December 31, 2018}}

==San Diego Fleet (AAF)==

In January 2019, San Diego Fleet offensive coordinator Jon Kitna departed the team to become quarterbacks coach of the Dallas Cowboys.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25809632/ex-nfl-qb-jon-kitna-become-cowboys-qb-coach|title=Cowboys to hire Jon Kitna as quarterbacks coach|work=ESPN|date=January 20, 2019|access-date=January 25, 2019}} To take his place, the Fleet hired DeBord, reuniting him with Fleet head coach and former Bears colleague Mike Martz.{{cite news|last=Toppmeyer|first=Blake|url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2019/01/25/ut-vols-mike-debord-hired-san-diego-fleet-aaf-schedule-indiana-tennessee/2676872002/|title=Why former UT Vols coordinator Mike DeBord joined an AAF coaching staff|newspaper=Knoxville News Sentinel|date=January 25, 2019|access-date=January 25, 2019}}

==Third stint at Michigan==

DeBord rejoined the Michigan football team on March 4, 2020 as an offensive analyst under head coach Jim Harbaugh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2020/03/04/michigan-football-mike-debord/4952996002/|title=Former Michigan football offensive coordinator Mike DeBord rejoins staff as analyst|last=Sang|first=Orion|website=Detroit Free Press|language=en|access-date=2020-03-05}}

==Kansas==

DeBord was hired as the offensive coordinator for Kansas on February 2, 2021.{{cite news |url=https://kuathletics.com/kansas-hires-mike-debord-as-offensive-coordinator/ |newspaper=Kansas Jayhawks|date=February 2, 2021 |title=Kansas Hires Mike DeBord as Offensive Coordinator }} He was not retained when Les Miles was fired in March 2021 following reports of misconduct when he was coaching LSU{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Sherman Smith, Tim |date=2021-03-09 |title=Kansas Jayhawks part ways with football coach Les Miles amid allegations of misconduct at LSU • Louisiana Illuminator |url=https://lailluminator.com/2021/03/08/kansas-jayhawks-part-ways-with-football-coach-les-miles-amid-allegations-of-misconduct-at-lsu/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Louisiana Illuminator |language=en-US}} and replaced by Buffalo head coach Lance Leipold with Leipold hiring Andy Kotelnicki as his offensive coordinator.

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 worked 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/02/michigan_hires_former_football.html|title=Michigan hires former football offensive coordinator Mike DeBord as a sport administrator|date=February 2, 2013|publisher=MLive.com|access-date=February 7, 2014}}

Personal

Debord suffered a major stroke in September 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-22 |title=Former Vols offensive coordinator Mike DeBord in hospital after suffering a stroke |url=https://www.wbir.com/article/sports/former-vols-offensive-coordinator-mike-debord-suffers-stroke/51-422e53d3-9e56-4996-92b7-e964a6330ccb |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=wbir.com |language=en-US}} He died from complications from that stroke on April 15, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Chengelis |first=Angelique S. |title='One of the great leaders': Former Michigan assistant coach Mike DeBord dead at 69 |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2025/04/15/former-michigan-football-assistant-coach-mike-debord-dead-at-69/83104880007/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |url=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/wolverines/football/2025/04/15/former-michigan-football-oc-mike-debord-passed-away/83106741007/ |title=Mike DeBord, former Michigan football offensive coordinator, passed away |first1=Isaiah |last1=Hole |website=WolverinesWire |date=April 15, 2025 |access-date=April 18, 2025}}

He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1995.{{cite web |date=February 1, 2013 |title=DeBord Returning to Michigan to Serve as Sport Administrator - MGOBLUE.COM - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/genrel/020113aaa.html |access-date=February 7, 2014 |publisher=Mgoblue.Com}}