New Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord Replaces Dallas Cowboys Hire Jon Kitna

PRESS RELEASE #SDFLEET

(SAN ANTONIO, TX) — The Alliance of American Football’s San Diego Fleet has hired 37-year coaching veteran Mike DeBord as offensive coordinator, as announced on Thursday. He will fill the void left by Jon Kitna, who was added to the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff earlier in the week.

The 62-year-old DeBord was lured out of his recent December retirement after serving as the associate head coach, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach under Tom Allen at Indiana University for the past two seasons (2017-18). He previously worked with current Fleet Head Coach Mike Martz for two seasons with the Chicago Bears (2010-11).

DeBord may best be known for his time at University of Michigan. The Muncie, Ind., native was the offensive coordinator for the 1997 National Champion Wolverines — who compiled a perfect 12-0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship and defeated Washington State in the 1998 Rose Bowl. Following the season, DeBord was named Sporting News National Assistant Coach of the Year. His tenure at Michigan started as offensive line coach from 1993-96 being promoted to offensive coordinator from 1997-99. He later returned as special teams and recruiting coordinator from 2004-05 and returned to offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2006-07.

During his first stint as offensive coordinator in Ann Arbor, DeBord mentored future NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady, Brian Griese, Chad Henne and Drew Henson. In all, the Wolverines posted a combined 52-11 record in the regular season and a 4-1 mark in the postseason with DeBord manning the post.

DeBord’s only head coaching experience came during a four-year run at Central Michigan University (2000-03). He launched his career in 1982 as offensive line coach at Franklin College (IN) and has also made collegiate stops at Fort Hays State University (KS), Eastern Illinois University, Ball State University (IN), Colorado State University, Northwestern University (IL) and University of Tennessee. In all, he coached 53 players who advanced to play in the NFL.

DeBord added five years of NFL experience to his extensive resume starting as assistant offensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 2008. He was later promoted to tight ends coach in 2009 before spending three seasons as tight ends coach for the Bears (2010-12).

A former honorable mention All-American offensive lineman at Manchester College (IN), DeBord was a 2005 inductee into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

About The Alliance of American Football

Led by some of the most respected football minds in the game, The Alliance of American Football is a dynamic professional football league fueled by an unprecedented Alliance between players, fans and the game. Founded by TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol and Hall of Famer Bill Polian, The Alliance will feature eight teams with 52-player rosters playing a 10-week regular season schedule in the spring beginning February 9, 2019 on CBS, followed by two playoff rounds and culminating with the championship game on April 27, 2019.

The eight cities, stadiums and head coaches are as follows:

Orlando Apollos / Spectrum Stadium / Steve Spurrier
Atlanta Legends / Georgia State Stadium / Kevin Coyle
Memphis Express / Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium / Mike Singletary
Salt Lake Stallions / Rice-Eccles Stadium / Dennis Erickson
Arizona Hotshots / Sun Devil Stadium / Rick Neuheisel
San Diego Fleet / San Diego County Credit Union Stadium / Mike Martz
Birmingham Iron / Legion Field Stadium / Tim Lewis
San Antonio Commanders / Alamodome / Mike Riley

Fans will be able to stream Alliance matchups live via the free Alliance app while accessing integrated gaming options with real rewards — for themselves and the players they are cheering on. With a focus on player well-being on and off the field, The Alliance will provide players with a commitment to safety and state-of-the-art equipment as well as a comprehensive bonus system, post-football career planning, financial counseling and scholarship support for postsecondary education. For more information, visit https://aaf.com/.

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