Washington on Monday announced the hiring of Fresno State’s Kalen DeBoer as its new head coach.
“Kalen is a winner and champion, plain and simple. He has succeeded at every stop because he does it the right way and is committed to a culture of excellence for Husky football student-athletes,” UW athletic director Jen Cohen said in a release. “His strong value alignment with our department, university and community will make all of Husky Nation proud.”
DeBoer, 47, is in his second year at Fresno State. The Bulldogs went 3-3 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign and finished the 2021 regular season with a 9-3 record, including 6-2 in the Mountain West Conference.
“My family and I are so grateful for the opportunity to lead such a storied program and be part of this prestigious institution,” DeBoer said in the release. “The tough, hard-nosed tradition of Washington football speaks for itself, and it was obvious throughout this process that UW is committed to competing at the highest level. … We could not be more excited to get to Seattle and get to work.”
He previously was the offensive coordinator at Indiana (2019), Fresno State (2017-18), Eastern Michigan (2014-16) and Southern Illinois (2010-13). Before that, he guided the University of Sioux Falls to a 67-3 record from 2005-09, winning three NAIA championships and earning three NAIA Coach of the Year awards.
DeBoer replaces Jimmy Lake, who was fired on Nov. 14 after compiling a 7-6 record in less than two seasons in Seattle.
Bob Gregory served as the interim head coach for the final three games for Washington (4-8, 3-6 Pac-12), including last Friday’s 40-13 Apple Cup loss to rival Washington State.
