Washington welcomes a new Head Football Coach eager to win championships with ‘team-first guys’
Kalen DeBoer knows what it takes to build a successful football program. He’s been doing it for two decades.
“We want highly talented and skilled players, but that’s just a part of it,” says Washington’s new Head Football Coach, who comes to the UW with a 79-9 head coaching record.
“We want guys who have their priorities in order, who have high character and who want to get a great education — team-first guys who are unselfish and who truly care about the guys next to them more than they do themselves. Those are the qualities you look for that helps you win championships.”
Creating that kind of team culture begins with establishing trust. The former Fresno State head coach says he and his staff recognize it will take time and a focused process to win the hearts and minds of the student-athletes on his team.
“It’s been awesome getting to know these amazing young men,” he says. “I hope through the way we speak, what we ask of them, how they see us go about our business day to day, they will understand we’re very genuine and looking out for their best interests.”
Growing up in a tiny town in South Dakota, Kalen’s most influential mentors were his high school and college football coaches. At the University of Sioux Falls, his team went from 2-8 his freshman year to 14-0 and a national championship his senior year.
“The experiences I had in football made me who I am today,” Kalen reflects.
“My vision is to give our players one of the greatest experiences of their lives, that their time playing football at the University of Washington will shape them and propel them to the next phases of their lives.”
Tyee Club donors, he states, are critical to providing those exemplary experiences and to “winning lots of football games.”
“The incredible resources we have at Washington separate us from most schools in the country,” says Kalen. “Everyone we recruit understands there’s a ton of support for this program and that they can be part of something very special here at the UW.”
