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Ken “SID” Kortemeyer still hasn’t forgotten that beautiful spring day.
About 30 years ago, Kortemeyer was on the campus of the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. Then the athletics director, Kortemeyer walked into the gym, where the office of football coach Bob Young was located. That day, Young was meeting with a recruit who was on campus for a visit.
“I’d like you to meet Kalen DeBoer,” Young told Kortemeyer. “He’s going to be something very special.”
Somehow, the late Young knew. Somehow, he had an idea that DeBoer would go on to play four seasons at Sioux Falls, becoming an All-American wide receiver in 1996 while winning an NAIA national championship. And that DeBoer would became a coach, winning countless football games; DeBoer has a 104-12 record as a college head coach. And that the Milbank, South Dakota native would one day coach in the College Football Playoff championship with Washington before becoming the Alabama football coach to replace Nick Saban on Friday.
“I’m not sure Bob was a prophet necessarily,” Kortemeyer said, “but that prophesy certainly came true.”
No one knows DeBoer better than those back home in South Dakota. So they’ve got plenty of stories to tell. Here is a collection of a few tales shared with The Tuscaloosa News.
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Roommate on the phone
Kim Nelson needed someone to coach his sophomore football team, he needed someone fast. He lost his sophomore coach at Washington High School late in the summer. It was Friday, and practices started Monday. Nelson had no coach.
“I was kind of desperate for a coach,” Nelson said.
The good news…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kalen-deboer-collection-stories-alabama-101742684.html
Author : The Tuscaloosa News
Publish date : 2024-01-15 10:17:42
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