Tennessee Has a Hot New Offensive Coordinator, Former Michigan Man Mike DeBord
By Ty Duffy
The Tennessee Volunteers had an awesome Signing Day. Butch Jones waited until the day afterward to hire his sexy new offensive coordinator, 58-year-old former Michigan coordinator Mike DeBord, per 247 Sports. Wow.
Don’t remember who Mike DeBord is? Well, he spent two spells as Michigan’s offensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999 and 2006 to 2007. Before that, he was an offensive line coach. In between, he flamed out as Central Michigan’s head coach (where Jones was his offensive coordinator). Afterward, he bounced around as an NFL tight ends coach with the Seahawks and the Bears. He spent the last two years working in Michigan’s athletic department as a sports administrator. Michigan has hired offensive coordinators the past two off-seasons. DeBord, already on campus, was not a candidate.
How good was he as a coordinator? Multiple factors derailed Michigan in 2007. We’ll be fair and stick with 2006. Michigan ranked an underwhelming 43rd in yards/play offense. This was an improvement over 2005. But, it should be noted, that Michigan team had future NFL starters at QB (Chad Henne), LT (Jake Long) and both WR spots (Mario Manningham, Steve Breaston). That’s not to mention Mike Hart, who was a 1,500-yard rusher and just missed the Heisman podium that year as a junior. Michigan’s reputation under DeBord was for running an outdated, stuck in the mud offense, eight years ago.
DeBord does have an impressive resume with offensive linemen, albeit 15-20 years ago. Steve Hutchinson will be in the HOF. Jon Jansen and Jon Runyan made All-Pro teams. Jeff Backus and Maurice Williams were long time NFL starters.
One would expect someone a bit more current from an aspiring SEC power. Jones pointed out DeBord has “called plays in meaningful games.” That we cannot dispute.
[Photo via Getty]