Central Michigan University Athletics
CHIPPEWAS NAME DeBORD
2/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 12, 1999
Mount Pleasant, Mich. - Central Michigan University will introduce Mike DeBord as its new football coach at a campus press conference on Friday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m.
The press conference will be held at the Indoor Athletic Complex (IAC) and is open to the public.
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 with a base salary of $120,000 annually.
DeBord replaces Dick Flynn, CMU's head coach for the previous six seasons, who resigned on Tuesday, Nov. 9. 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
Date of Birth: Feb. 7, 1956
Birthplace: Muncie, IN
High School: Wes-Del
College: Manchester (1978)
Master's degree: Ball State (1981)
Wife: Deb
Children: Tyler (18), Kyle (13)
Hobbies: Fishing, reading
| | ||
| 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 |
| 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 |
