MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan (December 6) -- Mike DeBord, the offensive coordinator for
Michigan during
its national championship season of 1997, has
been named the new football coach at Central
Michigan.
The offensive coordinator at the University of Michigan for the past
three years, the 43-year-old DeBord has been on the Wolverine staff for
eight seasons as offensive
tackles and tight ends coach. He's been an assistant coach for 18
seasons at seven different schools.
"I am extremely excited that Mike DeBord will be our new football
coach," said Chippewa athletics director Herb Deromedi. "It is
impressive that Central of Michigan is
able to land a coordinator from high-profile program that has
consistently been in the top 10 in the country.
"Mike brings high energy, a reputation as an outstanding teacher, coach
and communicator. I was impressed with his organizational ability and
his commitment to the
recruiting of Michigan high school athletes. His Midwestern background
plus numerous ties will enable him to recruit from a broad base."
DeBord, who will continue to coach at Michigan through the Orange Bowl
as well as begin his duties with Central Michigan, agreed to a four-year
contract.
DeBord replaces Dick Flynn, CMU's head coach for the previous six
seasons. The Chippewas were 4-7 in 1999
and Flynn posted a
career mark of 30-37.
A 1978 graduate of Manchester College, DeBord becomes Central's 23rd
head coach in school history.
DeBord was appointed to the Michigan staff in June of 1992 as the
offensive tackles and tight ends coach. He was elevated to assistant
head coach for two years
(1995-96) before current Wolverine mentor Lloyd Carr promoted DeBord to
his current position of offensive coordinator and tackles and ends coach
in February of
1997.
In his first campaign as offensive coordinator in 1997, Michigan won the
national championship. The 1998 Wolverine squad turned in school-record
performances in
passing yards (2,931), passing attempts (403) and completions (238). UM
gained 4,951 yards (ninth best all-time) and the 359 points was 10th
best in school annals.
Michigan has gone to a bowl every year DeBord has been with the Maize
and Blue, and the Wolverines will go to the Orange Bowl this year
following a 9-2 season.
DeBord has experience in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) having
coached the offensive line at Ball State in 1989, helping guide the
Cardinals to a MAC crown
and a berth in the California Raisin Bowl.
A native of Gaston, Ind., DeBord won four letters playing on the
offensive line at Manchester. He was all-conference and all-district
playing both center and tackle.
DeBord and his wife, Deb, currently live in Saline with their two sons,
Tyler (18) and Kyle (13).
THE DeBORD FILE
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Year(s) Position School
1982-83 Offensive Line Franklin College
1984 Offensive Line Fort Hays
1985-86 Offensive Coordinator Fort Hays
1987-88 Offensive Line Eastern Illinois
1989 Offensive Line Ball State
1990-91 Offensive Line Colorado State
1992 Offensive Line Northwestern
1992-95 Offensive Line Michigan
1995-96 Assistant Head Coach Michigan
1997-99 Offensive Coordinator Michigan
COLLEGE BOWL EXPERIENCE
Year Bowl School
1989 California Raisin Bowl Ball State
1990 Freedom Bowl Colorado State
1992 Rose Bowl Michigan
1993 Hall of Fame Bowl Michigan
1994 Holiday Bowl Michigan
1995 Alamo Bowl Michigan
1996 Outback Bowl Michigan
1997 Rose Bowl Michigan
1998 Citrus Bowl Michigan
1999 Orange Bowl Michigan