Positives of Hiring Mike DeBord As Vols Offensive Coordinator

Butch Jones’ hiring of Mike DeBord as Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee is a bit controversial within the Vol fan base. Here are a few reasons to calm Vol Fan down about this hire.

Tennessee fans are fairly knowledgable about their team. However, I can guarantee you that no one knew who Mike Bajakian was prior to becoming the Vol Offensive Coordinator when Jones was hired at Tennessee. Vol fans welcomed Bajakian with open arms, because, well, he wasn’t part of Dooley’s staff.

Dooley’s Offensive Coordinator was Jim Chaney. Chaney was a hold over from Lane Kiffin’s staff, and was successful during that season. Chaney was a master of the spread offense. He even consulted Urban Meyer while Florida implemented the spread which led to a few Nati’s with a guy named Tebow.

Kiffin implemented the pro-style offense, and Chaney caught on quick. When Kiffin bolted for the sun on the left coast, Derek Dooley was hired. Dooley kept Chaney on as coordinator. The next few seasons were not the fault of the offense. Chaney’s offense was the bright spot of the entire team. His offense scored and scored often. The Vols had an incredible pro style passing game with Tyler Bray and receivers Justin Hunter, Cordarrelle Patterson and Da’Rick Rogers. The running game prospered with Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane. Offense was not the problem.

Then came Bajakian. Mike had some good offenses at Tennessee but not great. Tennessee ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring in his final season. His zone read offensive scheme seemed inept with Justin Worley at the helm. Nothing against Justin, but it was a bad call by Bajakian by having him in this scheme.

When Josh Dobbs took over for a hurt Worley, Bajakian’s (make no mistake that this is Jone’s offense as well) offense finally made sense. From the first play of the Utah State game last season I knew that the zone read would not work if the quarterback was not going to keep. Worley did not keep, and the offense did not work. Simple as that.

Dobbs’ kept the ball immediately upon entering the game, and the defense had to adjust. They could no longer key on Jalen Hurd, but had to respect Dobbs’ ability to run as well. The offense began to click, and it also piled up yardage. Yardage, however, did not help when it came to the red zone, and the Vols red zone offense struggled all season.

So now it is Mike DeBord. Bajakian has left for the NFL to coach Quarterbacks at Tampa Bay. He wanted to coach at the highest level. Personally I think the Vol quarterbacks may be as talented as the Tampa Bay quarterbacks.

DeBord has not been on a college field coaching since 2007. DeBord most recently has been employed in the Michigan Athletic Department for the last two years. Prior to that DeBord spent 5 years as an NFL assistant. DeBord says he went to every Michigan practice and was in every Michigan offensive meeting these past two seasons however.

DeBord and Jones began their friendship at Central Michigan. Jones became DeBord’s offensive coordinator. DeBord and Jones ran a version of the spread there. The biggest difference there was that DeBord ran a two back system, while the Vols now run a single back in the backfield. That will not change.

Debord was at Michigan beginning in 1992 coaching the offensive line. He became offensive coordinator at Michigan in 1996. He became a National Champion in 1997 as the Wolverines were voted number one in the country in the last pre BCS championship. Tennessee of course won the next year. DeBord left Michigan for the Central Michigan head coaching job in 2000, and stayed through the 2003 season. DeBord and Jones were 12-34 at Central Michigan.

So what can DeBord bring to the table at 59 years of age, and without being on a college field since 2007?

The answer is “plenty”. Here are reasons below.

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There is no secret that Jones hired DeBord first and foremost because he “trusts” him. DeBord will not upset the apple cart. He has a working relationship with Jones and with many of the assistants on this team. He will “gel” with this unit, and in Coach Jones mind he will fit into this “family”. Jones preaches this team is a family, and you better believe that it is. If you are not in, you are out. I believe that is a reason you see so many players leaving.

DeBord will bring experience from a Collegiate level and an NFL level. Coaches that have NFL experience are valued highly these days. Coaches with NFL experience are able to provide instruction to the college players (and staff) by learning what works and what does not with the premier athletes in football.  This is an invaluable asset. Many of us have had some sort of football experience. You learn from each level you experience. I myself was a high school quarterback. I can impart that experience on lower level coaching, but know nothing of the nuances of the college game. DeBord has experienced the game at it’s highest level. Believe me that is a huge advantage.

My personal favorite thing about Mike is that he has long been an offensive line coach. Much to the fans of today’s dismay, all offense begins with the offensive line. They may be labeled “the big uglies” but these guys are generally (with exception of the quarterback) the smartest guys on the team. They must determine who they will block and how they will block the numerous fronts and blitzing schemes designed by todays brilliant defensive minds. It is not an easy task.

DeBord understands offensive line schemes, and offensive lineman. As much as it pains me to say, the fact that he was at Michigan is impressive. The only thing Michigan has ever impressed me with is their offensive line play. They have always been big, strong and mean. It is my hope that DeBord will bring a lot of that to Tennessee. The Vols offensive line has not been nasty since the days of Phillip Fulmer, who was another offensive line coach. I would not be surprised if DeBord brings Fulmer in from time to time for consulting.

If Tennessee is to take the next step to get back in the game with the elite of the SEC the Vols will have to be more physical in the running game. The Vols must learn to go under center to get that tough 4th and one or to get better on the goal line. That was a problem last year. I hope DeBord fixes this. Jalen Hurd is a very physical back. He is an Eddie George type of runner. Alvin Kamara is also physical. I want to see these guys used in a physical manner. You must impose your will in the SEC in order to win consistently. The premier teams this season in college football were Alabama and Ohio State. Both were very physical in the run game. They dictated what they “could” do to other teams. I want to see Tennessee do this again like they did with Travis Henry and company.

The last reason I believe DeBord can help Tennessee is the fact that he coached tight ends in the NFL. Tennessee did not utilize their tight ends last season at all. These guys should be weapons. Being a tight ends coach meant that DeBord was in with the passing game meetings. In the NFL the passing game is all about protections. Mike Bajakian did a horrible job protecting Justin Worley early last season.

There was no possible way that the offensive line could protect the quarterback. Bajakian gave them no help at all. I felt sorry for Worley, and I felt bad for the offensive tackle that was overmatched in every game. There was no help. DeBord will be able to help protect the quarterback. His familiarity with the offensive line and with tight ends should help the Vols passing game immensely. The Vols have a bevy of top notch receivers that can get deep. The problem has been that the Volunteer QB’s have not had time to stand in the pocket long enough to utilize that talent. DeBord will get that fixed.

So DeBord will get his shot.  I have listed a few positives above as to why he may fair well in Knoxville. We all know how important a coordinator hire can be for the head coach. Just ask Fulmer how Dave Clawson worked out for him.