In a departure from the norm, the College Football Playoff championship game in Houston won’t feature any SEC teams, a rarity since 2005. No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington, both current and future Big Ten members, will face off, marking the fourth instance of two undefeated teams in playoff history. But who’s leading the charge in Washington?

The Huskies secured a pivotal 36-33 victory against Oregon, propelling them into the national championship conversation. Much credit for this achievement goes to 49-year-old Kalen DeBoer, who boasts an impressive career record of 104-11 and three NAIA national titles at Sioux Falls. But he is not the only DeBoer family member drawing attention at Washington. 

Washington HC’s softball-star daughter

Shortly after being introduced as the new University of Washington football coach, Kalen DeBoer found his daughter, Alexis, in the spotlight as her softball recruitment gained momentum. During the Nov. 29 news conference, athletic director Jen Cohen highlighted Alexis’ athletic prowess.

On Sunday, Alexis, a standout third baseman from Clovis North High School in Fresno, California, committed to the esteemed Husky softball program. Despite not having signed a letter of intent, Kalen DeBoer, in acknowledging the unique situation, proudly commented, “It’s my daughter! It’s a different deal.” The Huskies had been actively pursuing Alexis well before her father’s association with the UW football coaching position.

Kalen Deboer’s coaching career highlights

Kalen DeBoer, head coach of the Washington Huskies, led the team to the National Championship against Michigan after a Sugar Bowl victory over Texas. Formerly a standout wide receiver at the University of Sioux Falls, DeBoer transitioned into coaching, achieving success as an offensive coordinator and head coach, including three NAIA national championships. Returning to Fresno State as head coach in 2020, DeBoer achieved a 3-3 record in the truncated COVID season. The following year, with a 9-3 record, he secured victories over ranked opponents and led the Bulldogs to victory in the New Mexico Bowl. 

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Hired by the University of Washington in 2021, he guided the Huskies to a 10-2 regular-season record, earning Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors and an Alamo Bowl triumph over Texas. DeBoer guided the Huskies to a 10-2 record and an Alamo Bowl win over Texas. Continuing his success in 2023, DeBoer led Washington to an undefeated 13-0 season and a Sugar Bowl triumph. With a net worth of approximately $5 million, he now faces Michigan in the National Championship game.

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