The Michigan football family is mourning the loss of former longtime assistant coach Mike DeBord.
DeBord passed away on Tuesday at the age of 69 from complications of the stroke he suffered in 2021. The Muncie, Indiana native coached for 12 years at Michigan across three stints (1993-99, 2004-07 and 2020), serving as the offensive coordinator for the Wolverines’ 1997 national championship team.
DeBord also worked as an Olympic sports administrator at U of M. The official Michigan football X/Twitter account released a statement in his honor on Wednesday afternoon.
“He was always a great source of inspiration for the student-athletes who competed for Michigan and the coaches who represented our teams,” the statement reads . “Mike positively affected so many lives at this university and his impact will be felt for generations.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike’s family.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the DeBord family. pic.twitter.com/rJpqzBKuC0
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 16, 2025
DeBord, who had a four-year stint as head coach at Central Michigan from 2000-03, also worked as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee (2015-16), Indiana (2017-18) and Kansas (2021).
His son Tyler announced the news of his passing in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“The world lost a great man today,” Tyler DeBord wrote . “He taught me so much in life, I am so grateful the good Lord blessed me with the best dad! He was a man of faith, an unbelievable dad, husband, grandpa, and man! For all his successes in life, he always stuck to his small town roots and never forgot where he came from. He had a great sense of faith, work ethic, love for family, football, and life. His loss will be felt by many because of the impact he had on everyone he touched. He loved fiercely, and we loved him!”
© David P. Gilkey, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press via Imagn Content Services, LLC
In total, DeBord spent about 40 years in coaching, including five years as an NFL assistant.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the DeBord family at this time.
Related: Former College Football Head Coach, Longtime Michigan Assistant Dead At 69