David Taub
DeBoer's Path to Fresno State Started in a Small South Dakota Town
Fresno State athletic director Terry Tumey introduced Kalen DeBoer as the team’s newest head coach at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.
Maybe the people most excited for DeBoer’s return to Fresno State’s football program were his young daughters.
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David Taub
Opinion
“They’re fired up to come back here to Fresno,” DeBoer said. “When you step off the plane and you see the weather and the sunshine and all that sunny California is all about, how can you not love it?”
For his girls who love playing softball, returning to California is a natural choice.
Boomerang Effect
The 45-year-old DeBoer may be the highest-profile boomerang in the Valley. He spent two seasons as Jeff Tedford’s offensive coordinator from 2017-2018 before leaving for the same position with Indiana.
Working as an offensive coordinator in the Big Ten is a step up. But, taking over at Fresno State is even a higher step on the ladder.
Fresno (for the second time) is the latest stop following Bloomington, Ypsilanti, Carbondale, and where his coaching career started and thrived — Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A South Dakota Kid
DeBoer was born in Milbank, South Dakota, a town of 4,000 near the Minnesota border. He eventually moved to the big city, Sioux Falls (population 177,000), where he was a star wide receiver in high school.
He continued in town with the University of Sioux Falls and coached upon the conclusion of his playing career. Serving five seasons as the offensive coordinator, and five more as head coach, DeBoer won three NAIA national championships, amassing a 67-3 record.
“I wouldn’t change my path for the world. It really taught me a lot. The challenges that have come along the way have taught me a lot of lessons,” DeBoer said.
While in Sioux Falls, he married his wife of 18 years, Nicole.
“My wife is an amazing coach’s wife. She understands my passion, my purpose to serving the men wearing the Bulldog uniform,” DeBoer said.
Fresno State athletic director Terry Tumey (right) introduces new football coach Kalen DeBoer (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)
Fresno State Football is ‘Not Broken’
“I wouldn’t change my path for the world. It really taught me a lot. The challenges that have come along the way have taught me a lot of lessons.” — New Fresno State football coach Kalen DeBoer
He said he’s fired up to be here. In addition to thanking his family, he thanked his former employer and the man he is replacing — Tedford.
“I love everything this program stands for,” DeBoer said.
Tedford stepped away from coaching nearly two weeks ago, citing health reasons.
Like any coach, DeBoer expects to win.
“It’s definitely not a broken program. I don’t feel that at all,” DeBoer said.
DeBoer found success as Indiana’s OC. The Hoosiers placed second in the conference in yards per game and sixth for scoring offense.
He doesn’t plan to change the Bulldogs offense next season.
“The system will be exactly what is in place right now. We will be personnel driven … a lot of it is dependent on the skill set of the quarterback,” DeBoer said.
Even at Indiana, DeBoer kept tabs on the Bulldogs. He said he spent late nights keeping up with his former and future team.
Finding His Way Back to Fresno
DeBoer knows winning has helped ascend the coaching ladder, but it was not the only thing.
“Winning has certainly been the appeal of why I’ve gone place to place. But also being a good person and high character. I think that is also appealing to people as well,” DeBoer said.
He drew parallels between the Cougars of Sioux Falls and the Bulldogs of Fresno State.
“There’s a community feel to the program. I just love going to work every single day there. And, I knew that was the case here when I was at Fresno State,” DeBoer said.
