Amid rise from Sioux Falls to Washington, Kalen DeBoer stands as proof small-school coaches can win big

When No. 2 Washington takes the field Monday against No. 1 Michigan, it will not be Kalen DeBoer’s first time playing for a national championship. That came when DeBoer’s Sioux Falls team battled St. Francis for the 2006 NAIA National Championship in front of 5,000 fans in Savannah, Tennessee. 

In fact, DeBoer coached in four straight national title games from 2006-09 at Sioux Falls. He went a ridiculous 67-3 over five years in that role with three undefeated national title seasons across his final four campaign. DeBoer went on to help transform Eastern Michigan, Fresno State and Indiana before finally getting his first head coaching job in the Power Five at Washington.

DeBoer just wins. 

In fact, he is the poster child for a growing trend in college football, which is seeing former small-college head coaches win big at the game’s highest level.

Kansas’ Lance Leipold won six national titles and posted a 109-6 record at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater. He just wrapped up KU’s best season in 13 years. Houston’s Willie Fritz has won seven conference titles and four national coach of the year awards at four different levels of the game.

“Sometimes, guys start on third base and think they hit a triple,” Fritz told CBS Sports. “I learned something by going around the bases. I think it’s a huge advantage.” 

LSU’s Brian Kelly won a pair of Division II national championships at Grand Valley State with a 118-35-2 overall record. He twice took Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff. Eastern Michigan’s Chris Creighton led programs to conference titles in NAIA, Division III and the FCS. Over the last eight seasons, Creighton has four winning seasons at EMU. Over the prior 20 years, the Eagles had none. 

Despite the unprecedented dominance…

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Author : Shehan Jeyarajah

Publish date : 2024-01-08 17:57:58

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