Mike DeBord’s wife, Debra Sue DeBord, grew up in Indiana, and her family still lives there.
Former Central Michigan head football coach, Michigan offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach Mike DeBord died Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 69 from complications due to a stroke he suffered in 2021.
His son, Tyler DeBord, shared the news on Facebook. He stated,
“He taught me so much in life, I am so grateful the good Lord blessed with me with the best dad!,” “He was a man of faith, an unbelievable dad, husband, grandpa, and man. For all his successes in life, he always stuck to his small-town roots and never forgot where he came from.”
Tyler DeBord
Vice President for Development at Saginaw Valley State University, Brian Brunner, took to his official Facebook handle to mourn the loss of Mike DeBord. He wrote,
While I never had the privilege of playing for Coach DeBord, he was no less instrumental in helping me achieve a dream of playing D1 college football by offering me a scholarship to CMU. He helped set a course for my career. I still remember after a great game one of the first messages I’d receive were from him. A kind and big hearted man who cared about his players. RIP Coach.
Brian Brunner
Mike DeBord, born February 7, 1956, had a long college and NFL career.
He graduated from Wes-Del High School in Gaston, Ind., and played four seasons as an offensive lineman at Manchester College in the late 1970s.
His coaching career started at Franklin College in 1982, and it began an odyssey in which Mike made 20 different stops before his career ended in 2021.
Mike DeBord’s Wife, Debra Sue DeBord, Passed Away In June 2024 Due To Cancer
After dating for several years, Mike DeBord and Debra Sue DeBord married on July 15, 1977.
Deb was born on October 24, 1956, in Sayre, PA, to her father, Jerry, and her mother, Betty (Traister) Larkey.
She grew up with her two sisters, Pamela Humes and Jill Oglesbee, and one brother, Steve Larkey.
Sadly, Mike and Deb’s married life ended after 47 years following the tragic death of Deb on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 67, after a long battle with cancer.
Deb loved the action and adventure of being a coach’s wife and often said she wouldn’t change a thing about her life.
Mike And Debra Sue DeBord Were Blessed With Two Children
Mike and his wife Debra share two sons, Tyler and Kyle DeBord.
Tyler’s Facebook handle showcases that he is originally from Saline but lives in Macomb, Michigan. He went to Saline High School and later graduated from Central Michigan University.
He is currently working at L’anse Creuse High School. Tyler married Carla Marie DeBord and has three children: Anthony, Gabriel, and Taylor DeBord.
Sadly, Anthony, born on September 27, 2010, died on November 4, 2022, at 12, after suffering a severe brain injury.
His aunt, Andrea Swiatek, said she started a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses on behalf of the family.
On the other hand, Kyle’s Facebook handle showcases that he lives in Libertyville, Illinois. He graduated from Central Michigan University and founded The Hills Campground on March 1, 2023.
He tied the knot with Alyssa DeBord and welcomed two sons: Tommy Delke and Jackson DeBord.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mike DeBord graduated from Wes-Del High School in Delaware County, Indiana, and earned a master’s degree from Ball State in 1981.
- On February 1, 2013, Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon hired DeBord as the sports administrator for the school’s Olympic sports teams.
- Indiana associate head coach Mike DeBord announced his retirement in December 2018 after a 37-year career. In his nine years as an FBS offensive coordinator, he posted an 80-33 (.708) overall record, including a 47-27 (.635) conference mark.
