Mike DeBord set to become Tennessee’s offensive coordinator
Tennessee football looks to have found its new offensive coordinator. According to multiple reports Thursday afternoon, it appears head coach Butch Jones and the Vols are set to hire Mike DeBord for the position. The University of Tennessee has yet to make an official announcement.
Tennessee football looks to have found its new offensive coordinator.
According to multiple reports Thursday afternoon, it appears head coach Butch Jones and the Vols are set to hire Mike DeBord for the position. The University of Tennessee has yet to make an official announcement. However, in yesterday’s National Signing Day press conference, Jones confirmed that a hire would likely be announced by Friday.
DeBord, 58, currently serves as an administrator for the University of Michigan’s Olympic sports teams. He has not coached football since 2012 when he served as tight ends coach for the Chicago Bears. Before that, DeBord held the same position with the Seattle Seahawks.
While DeBord spent time in the NFL, his name is more commonly associated with Michigan. Before taking the administrative job with the Wolverines, he served as offensive coordinator from 2006-2007 – his second stint. He hasn’t called the plays for an offense since the 2007 season. DeBord also spent time as a head coach at Central Michigan from 2000-2003.
Prior to being a head coach, DeBord was the offensive coordinator at Michigan from 1997-1999 – his first stint. In 1997, the Wolverines won the national championship. DeBord’s offense averaged 26.8 points per game.
DeBord brings a traditional, pro-style offensive philosophy with him – though Jones has reiterated on multiple occasions that Tennessee’s offensive approach will not change much.
DeBord will replace former offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian who left to coach quarterbacks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Edited by Maggie Jones
Sports Editor, Cody McClure, has been with TNJN since January 2014. He is passionate about SEC football and basketball. To him, there's nothing better in life than game day in Neyland Stadium. Cody covers the SEC for Athlon Sports. Additionally, he co-hosts Rock Solid Sports for WUTK 90.3 FM on Fridays from 7-8 p.m. ET. Cody is also interning at Sports Radio WNML working under Jimmy Hyams. In his spare time, he plays golf, travels the country, and plays guitar, badly. Follow him on Twitter @CodyMcClureCFB.
