University of Tennessee Athletics
DeBord Named Vols Off. Coordinator/QB Coach
February 06, 2015 | Football
Born: Feb. 7, 1956
Hometown: Muncie, Ind.
Education: Manchester College, 1978
Family: Wife: Deb; Children: Tyler and Kyle
» 1982-83: Franklin College, offensive line
» 1984: Fort Hays State, offensive line
» 1985-86: Fort Hays State, offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks/wide receivers
» 1987-88: Eastern Illinois, offensive line
» 1988-89: Ball State, offensive line
» 1990-91: Colorado State, offensive line
» 1992: Northwestern, offensive line
» 1992-96: Michigan, offensive line
» 1997-99: Michigan, offensive coordinator
» 2000-03: Central Michigan, head coach
» 2004-05: Michigan, special teams/recruiting coordinator
» 2006-07: Michigan, offensive coordinator/tight ends
» 2008: Seattle Seahawks, assistant offensive line
» 2009: Seattle Seahawks, tight ends
» 2010-12: Chicago Bears, tight ends
» 2013-15: Michigan, sport administrator
Tom Brady - New England Patriots Quarterback, three-time Super Bowl MVP
"The University of Tennessee has hired a great offensive coordinator in Mike DeBord. Mike was my offensive coordinator in college and helped me develop as a quarterback. He has great knowledge in offensive football and quarterback development, and he will do an outstanding job at Tennessee."
Brian Griese - ESPN Commentator, Former NFL Quarterback, Super Bowl Champion
"Mike DeBord is an outstanding hire for Butch Jones at Tennessee. Mike brings experience on both the NFL and collegiate levels and a demonstrated play-calling ability at the championship level."
Mike Holmgren - Former Head Coach Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers,Super Bowl Champion Coach
"While our time together was short, Mike DeBord was one of the finest coaches I ever had. Mike was a great team guy on the staff and his outstanding football knowledge helped me in so many ways! The University of Tennessee is very lucky to have Mike DeBord."
Bill Lazor - Offensive Coordinator of the Miami Dolphins
"In hiring Mike DeBord, Tennessee is getting a great football coach. He has both a great understanding of the big picture and also the ability to see the details. I have seen first-hand what a fantastic teacher Mike is. He will do a great job developing quarterbacks, and he is a fierce competitor whose passion for the game is unmatched. The University of Tennessee's offense is in the hands of a great leader."
Steve Hutchinson - Seven-Time Pro Bowler, Five-Time First Team All-Pro, Former NFL Offensive Lineman for the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans
"Coach DeBord recruited me to the University of Michigan and coached me for the majority of my time there. Under him, we had very successful years as an offensive unit. His ability to use the resources on the roster, make him valuable to fit within any system. I am excited to see the Vols offense in action this season!"
Adam Gase - Offensive Coordinator of the Chicago Bears, Former Offensive Coordinator with the Denver Broncos
"The University of Tennessee is fortunate to hire a coach with Mike DeBord's resume. He is an outstanding and creative offensive coach who has great experience both at the college and NFL level. He coaches with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion and does an excellent job teaching quarterbacks."
Matt Hasselbeck - Quarterback for Indianapolis Colts, 16-year NFL Veteran
"The University of Tennessee is lucky to have Mike DeBord. I've come to know Mike as a bright offensive mind who quickly gains the trust and respect of the coaches and players he works with."
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The University of Tennessee announced Mike DeBord has been named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Vols.
A veteran of 30 years of coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball, DeBord spent five seasons coaching in the National Football League, including three with the Chicago Bears (2010-12) and two with the Seattle Seahawks (2008-09). He has also spent a total of 12 seasons on the Michigan coaching staff from1992-99 and 2004-07, with the Wolverines appearing in bowl games in all 12 of those seasons, including three consecutive New Year's Day bowl victories from 1997-99. DeBord has spent the last two years in athletic administration at Michigan.
"We are very excited to welcome Mike DeBord and his family into the Tennessee family," said Tennessee head football coach Butch Jones. "Mike is a tireless worker and innovator with a proven track record of success as both an offensive coordinator and as a developer of quarterbacks at a high level. He has demonstrated meticulous attention to the small details, and he is a great fit with our staff, players, and the entire Tennessee football organization.
Michigan posted a 52-11 (.825) record during DeBord's two stints as offensive coordinator, from 1997-99 and 2006-07, and the 1997 edition of the Wolverines won the national championship, led by quarterback Brian Griese. For his efforts during that championship season, DeBord was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by The Sporting News.
In addition to Griese, DeBord also served as offensive coordinator and mentor to multiple other NFL quarterbacks, including three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Tom Brady and veteran NFL quarterback Chad Henne.
"It is truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of the great tradition and culture of the University of Tennessee football program," said DeBord. "I was very selective about the job opportunities presented, and I'm very excited to be a part of the building of something special here at Tennessee. The familiarity with the system, the staff, and Butch Jones will be a great asset as we build upon and enhance our offensive system at Tennessee."
DeBord also served as the head coach at Central Michigan for four seasons (2000-03), with Butch Jones serving as a member of his coaching staff during each of those years, including one season as running backs coach (2000) and three as offensive coordinator (2001-03).
Mike DeBord BIO INFORMATION
• Veteran of 30 years of coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball, coaching in 14 bowl games
• Served in various roles at the University of Michigan between 1992 and 2015
• Most recently served as a Sport Administrator working with the field hockey, cross country, gymnastics, track and field and tennis programs at Michigan
• Spent five seasons coaching in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks (2008-09) and Chicago Bears (2010-12)
• Mentored John Carlson to team records for catches and receiving yards by a tight end while with Seattle
• Served offensive coordinator at Michigan for five seasons from 1997-99 and 2006-07 as Wolverines posted a combined 52-11 during those campaigns
• Helped Wolverines to 1997 National Championship, his first season as the team's offensive coordinator
• Named Sporting News National Assistant Coach of the Year in 1997
• Michigan won three consecutive New Year's Day bowl games in his three seasons at the helm of the offense from 1997-99
• Worked with quarterbacks and Super Bowl Champions Tom Brady and Brian Griese while at Michigan
• Wolverines played in a bowl game in each of the 12 seasons he was on the coaching staff
• Served as head coach at Central Michigan University for four seasons from 2000-03
• From 1982-92, coached at Franklin College, Fort Hays State, Eastern Illinois, Ball State, Colorado State and Northwestern before joining the Michigan staff
• Coached in bowl games with Ball State in 1989 and Colorado State in 1990
• Started for four years on the offensive line at Manchester College receiving all-conference, all-district and honorable mention NAIA All-American honors in 1977
• Inducted into Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1995
• Received master's degree from Ball State in 1981
• DeBord and his wife, Deb, have two sons, Tyler and Kyle
