Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord is Retiring After Two Seasons at IU

Mike DeBord calls it a career Imae: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Indiana offensive coordinator Mike DeBord announced his retirement after 37 seasons coaching college football late Sunday night.. His retirement was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and later confirmed by Indiana University. Debord served as the Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator the past two seasons.

“Coach (Lloyd) Carr told me many years ago I would know when it was time to retire," DeBord said in a statement released by the university. "I didn't understand it at the time, but I do now. I am really looking forward to spending more time with my family and my grandkids."
 
DeBord spent the last two seasons on head coach Tom Allen's staff as associate head coach, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
 
"These last two years have been unbelievable," DeBord said. "Tom is building this thing the right way, so it will last over a long period of time. That's the only thing I am going to miss, because it is definitely going to happen. There's a great culture at IU and I've had a lot of fun. I love Tom, I love the program he is putting together, and I was so glad to be a small part of the first couple years in what will be a long and successful career for Tom Allen."

Indiana head coach Tom Allen congratulated DeBord in the same statement. “"I want to congratulate Mike DeBord on an amazing coaching career," Allen said. "I have been fortunate to know him for many years and have the utmost respect for him, firstly as a man and secondly as a coach. You won't find a more loyal, more hard-working or better individual with a bigger heart for people. It was a privilege to work alongside him the last two seasons and I wish him nothing but the very best in his retirement."

Under DeBord, Indiana’s offense finished sixth in the Big Ten in scoring offense in 2017 (26.8) and 10th this past season (26.6 ppg).

DeBord started his college coaching career in 1982 as the offensive line coach at Franklin (IN) College. He made stops at Fort Hays State, Eastern Illinois, Ball State, Colorado State, Northwestern before becoming the offensive line coach at Michigan from 1993-1996. DeBord would spend seven seasons at Michigan, three as offensive coordinator, before a four seasons as head coach at Central Michigan where he went 12-34. He returned to coach Michigan from 2004-2007 before spending four years in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears. DeBord returned to the college ranks in 2015 as the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee (2015-2016). DeBord was named IU’s offensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season.

The Hoosiers open their 2019 season August 31st against Ball State at Lucas Oil Stadium.