Alabama Head Coach Kalen DeBoer Turns 50

Tomorrow, Thursday, October 24th, 2024, the Head Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Kalen DeBoer, turns fifty years of age. Coach DeBoer follows in the footsteps of Coach Nick Saban as Head Coach of The University of Alabama's football team. And, given that Nick Saban was 72 years of age when he retired from his position as Head Coach, it is possible that the landmark age of 50 for Coach DeBoer only heralds many more years of ahead of him as an esteemed college football coach.

Born in South Dakota, Coach Kalen DeBoer was raised primarily by his Mom, Phylis Waterfall, after his parents split up around his ninth birthday. His mother made ends meet for Coach DeBoer and his siblings by working diligently at a drugstore in South Dakota. With Kalen DeBoer mowing a big plot of land on the family's farm property so he could play football with his siblings and cousins. Coach DeBoer's last name is of Dutch origin which means "the farmer". And in high school, Kalen DeBoer excelled in both football and baseball. He received a football scholarship to the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. And his coaching career began immediately following his graduation from college as he became the wide receiver coach for his alma mater.

Coach Kalen DeBoer married his lovely wife, Nicole Tendler, on December 29th, 2001 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church while he was the offensive coordinator for the University of Sioux Falls' football team and the assistant coach for their baseball team. His wife, Nicole, also a former college athlete, was part of the basketball team of Augustana University. And the couple have two daughters, Alexis and Avery. With their oldest daughter, Alexis, also displaying the family's athletic proclivities as a standout softball player.

Coach Kalen DeBoer was hired to be the Head Coach at Alabama upon the retirement of Coach Nick Saban, who won six National Championships for Alabama during his tenure as Head Coach at Alabama. Coach DeBoer was selected by Alabama Athletics Director Greg Byrne to take the reins upon Saban's retirement after DeBoer became the first Washington coach to win 11 or more games in consecutive seasons and the first coach to win a bowl game in his first season with the Washington Huskies.

While the challenges of the Southeastern Conference coupled with the new Name Image and Likeness rules for recruiting in college football are proving to be an adjustment even for the capable and affable Coach Kalen DeBoer, it is hoped that he can celebrate his fiftieth birthday surrounded by his family coupled with a hearty "Roll Tide!" from all of his players.