Kalen DeBoer, the new Alabama Crimson Tide head coach, has been making waves in college football. But with each great coach comes a sidekick who is present with him every step of the way, and for DeBoer, that cheerleader is his wife, Nicole.
It’s a story of love, a tale of commitment and selflessness. Let us learn more about Kalen DeBoer and Nicole DeBoer and discover more about their professional and personal lives.
Love Story Born of Sport: For Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
Nicole Tendler, now Nicole DeBoer, was born in December 1978 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her parents, Lori and Terry Tendler, raised a family that valued athletics and academics. Nicole DeBoer attended Augustana College to pursue a major in fitness management.
Nicole DeBoer showcased her athletic abilities in basketball at the collegiate level. She played 109 games as an Augustana Viking between 1997 and 2001.
First pitch strike for Nicole DeBoer! Welcome to Tuscaloosa!@AlabamaFTBL #RollTide pic.twitter.com/ysWmNfWhhf
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) February 21, 2024
That is when destiny brought Kalen DeBoer and Nicole DeBoer together. Kalen DeBoer was the offensive coordinator at the University of Sioux Falls in the summer of 2001. They met, and there was an instant connection.
Describing their initial encounter, Kalen DeBoer earlier stated, “It was love at first sight.” It was a flash romance that led to their wedding on Dec. 29, 2001, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, with Reverend Don Lehmann officiating.
They also have two daughters, Alexis and Avery. Nicole DeBoer has never been the behind-the-scenes woman in Kalen DeBoer’s coaching career, being low-key but having a gigantic role in their joint successes.
Kalen DeBoer’s Coaching Journey
Kalen DeBoer’s career as a coach has been filled with determination, grit, and long-term success. He started his life as a student assistant at the University of Sioux Falls in 1997. Within 10 years, he made a career move from the level of a student assistant to being one of the top coaches.
In 2005, he was promoted to head coach of Sioux Falls and led the team to achieve three NAIA national championships in 2006, 2008, and 2009.
His coaching ability was not going unrewarded. DeBoer coached at Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, Indiana, and Southern Illinois, establishing the reputation of an offensive genius.
In 2020, he was working again at Fresno State as head coach, and in 2022, he was coaching the Washington Huskies. The Huskies captured the Pac-12 Championship on his watch and participated in the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2023.
In January 2024, after legendary coach Nick Saban’s retirement, DeBoer became the head coach at the Alabama Crimson Tide. His selection was well-received, as Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne said, “Coach DeBoer has shown he is a winner and has done a great job as a head coach at every stop.”
While Kalen DeBoer’s coaching success is well reported, the influence of his family, and specifically Nicole DeBoer’s, can never be forgotten. When navigating the ups and downs of a stressful coaching profession, Nicole DeBoer has been the pillar, providing stability and reassurance.
Kalen DeBoer often credits her with his success, calling her his “rock” and talking about the importance of her unwavering support.
Their two daughters, Avery and Alexis, have grown up around football culture their whole lives, typically watching their dad accompanied by their parents in the stands. Coming to Alabama now is a new beginning; however, with the love and devotion that exists within the family, they’re prepared to weather whatever trials and tribulations life may bring.
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