The Indiana football offensive coordinator is set to take the Fresno State head coaching job following a great season in Bloomington.
It had been rumors for quite some time, but as of Tuesday, news broke that Fresno State is expected to hire Indiana football offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer as the new head coach.
DeBoer, who had spent just one season in Bloomington, is set to take over for Jeff Tedford who stepped down after three seasons, with a record of 26-14. There is already a deep connection between DeBoer and Fresno State, however, as he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Tedford from 2017-2018.
For a first division one head coaching job, DeBoer will step into a program that had spent most of 2017 and 2018 ranked in the top 25, including two bowl victories in those seasons.
DeBoer, who has been an offensive mastermind wherever he has been, was one of 15 semifinalists for the Broyles Award – given to the top assistant in college football – this season. Being the mind behind the Hoosiers program record of scoring at least 30 points eight times in their first nine games, DeBoer also helped Indiana to the second ranked passing team (308.7) in the conference as well as in total offense (443.6 yards per game).
Before Indiana, DeBoer spent time on staff at both Southern Illinois and Eastern Michigan. The only other head coaching position he has held, was a very successful one though.
Serving as the Sioux Falls’ (NAIA) head coach from 2005-2009, DeBoer went 67-3 and won three NAIA National Championships during that span.
While there is still time to go after other offensive coordinators for Indiana, one name that comes to mind that is already on the staff is Mike Hart. The running backs coach and offensive assistant currently, Hart has been tremendous with his recruiting ability and development of the IU running backs in his four years on staff.