Recently, ESPN named DeBoer’s second season as one of the top storylines to watch in 2025. But the college football season is still months away, so he hasn’t had a chance to prove himself on the field yet. Meanwhile, his family is already making headlines—especially his daughter, Alexis DeBoer. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year for her outstanding performance with Washington softball.
The Crimson Tide coach is no stranger to celebrating victories, but this achievement by his daughter is different—it’s deeply personal. When he spoke about Alexis’ milestone, pride clearly shone through his words.
Kalen DeBoer Opens Up Proudly About Daughter Alexis’ Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award
Coach Kalen DeBoer is currently enjoying a break since college football is in its offseason, but his daughter is passing a busy time with her games for Washington Softball. While this week wasn’t anything major for him as a coach, it was truly special for him as a father. Alexis DeBoer was recently named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and Kalen DeBoer proudly answered questions about his feelings on his daughter’s achievement.
During an appearance on “The Next Round,” an SEC-focused podcast, DeBoer couldn’t hide his pride when talking about Alexis’ success. He was more than happy to brag a little about his daughter’s performance with the Washington Huskies softball team.
He said, “Yeah, I’m really proud of her. She’s making a name for herself, and I’ve always believed she had it in her. It happened even quicker than I thought. She got the opportunities and took advantage of them. … I’m a proud dad, that’s for sure.”
Last week, Alexis earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year title. What makes it even more special is that she’s the first Huskies player to win this award since 2016. No wonder her dad is so proud.
As a first baseman for Washington, Alexis has been a dominant force in her freshman season. She wrapped up the regular season with a .369 batting average, 20 home runs, and 54 RBIs—leading the Huskies in nearly every offensive category. Her outstanding play also earned her spots on the All-Big Ten First Team and the All-Freshman Team. With these achievements, she’s quickly becoming one of the rising stars in college softball.
The DeBoer family knows just how talented Alexis is, and they didn’t hesitate to make the trip to Texas to watch her compete in the NCAA Regionals. This marks Washington’s 31st straight appearance in the tournament—and Alexis made the trip worth it. The Huskies finished the season 34-17 and started the Regionals against Mississippi State on Friday.
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Alexis was ranked No. 11 in the 2024 recruiting class and was a PGF All-American before committing to Washington. Sure, it might have been exciting if she had played for Alabama too, but Kalen DeBoer is just happy that his daughter is following her own path an thriving it.
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