Reports: Indiana to Hire Kalen DeBoer as Offensive Coordinator

Kalen DeBoer will be IU’s offensive coordinator in 2019 Image: Fresno State Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

A source confirmed to Hoosier Huddle that Fresno State offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer will be hired as Indiana’s new offensive coordinator. The news was first reported by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. DeBoer replaces Mike DeBord who retired on December 30 after two seasons as the Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator.

DeBoer spent the last two seasons as Fresno State’s offensive coordinator. The Bulldogs offense ranked 72nd in total offense in 2017 and improved to 47th in 2018. DeBoer also improved the Bulldogs’ offense in scoring from 27.1 points per game (77th) in 2017 to 34.6 ppg (26th) in 2018.

The Hoosiers are looking for an improved passing attack in 2019. Fresno State’s offense ranked 29th nationally in passing yards per game and senior Bulldog quarterback Marcus McMaryion averaged 8.5 yards per attempt while throwing for 3,629 yards, 25 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The running game will still be a staple in IU’s offense and Fresno State’s rushing attack reeled off 154.8 yards per game, just a few yards behind IU’s 2018 pace of 157.3 yards per game.

DeBore has been coaching in college since 1997 and has experienced high levels of success, including a 67-3 mark as the head coach at the University of Sioux Falls where he won three NAIA National Championships. DeBoer moved into Division I coaching at the FCS level when he offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois in 2010, a position he held until 2013. In 2014 he moved on to Eastern Michigan where he lead the Eagles offense to record setting numbers in 2016 before heading out west to become Fresno State’s offensive coordinator.