Indiana University Athletics
No Miracle Required -- Kalen DeBoer Seeks Right Offensive Balance
8/5/2019 9:15:00 AM | Football
2019 Schedule | 2019 Season Tickets | 2019 Student Season Tickets | 2019 Mini-Season Ticket Packages | 2019 Single-Game Ticket Pricing | Purchase Ball State Tickets
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Kalen DeBoer won't need miracles to turn an average Big Ten attack into an elite one.
"The pieces are here," Indiana's new offensive coordinator says. "I watched the guys this spring. I watched last year's games again, and you just have a good feeling that another year of experience underneath all these guys' belts, and a few tweaks here and there, and we could be off and rolling."
DeBoer boosted offenses at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Fresno State over the previous nine seasons, which followed an NAIA national championship run at Sioux Falls.
Can he do it at Indiana?
We're about to find out.
Under former offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, the Hoosiers were sixth and 10th in scoring in the Big Ten in the last two seasons, although the averages were basically the same -- 26.8 points in 2017, 26.4 last season. In former coach Kevin Wilson's last season, in 2016, Indiana averaged 25.8 points.
Now IU boasts plenty of talent, skill and experience at quarterback with Peyton Ramsey (2,875 yards, 19 touchdowns last season), Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle; two All-Big Ten-caliber receivers in Nick Westbrook and Donavan Hale; as much running back skill as perhaps the program has ever had, led by returning thousand-yard rusher Stevie Scott III; and three powerhouse senior offensive linemen in Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak.
Plus, DeBoer plans to fully utilize the tight ends, led by Peyton Hendershot.
As for what a potent Cream & Crimson offense could do, consider Indiana averaged 36.5 points in 2015, 38.4 points in 2013 and 30.8 points in 2012.
Head coach Tom Allen is optimistic about what's coming.
"It's been a very comprehensive and very involved offseason. We've done more player practices, more install, more things we've done on that side of the ball since I've been here, and I think we'll reap the benefits of that."
It starts with DeBoer, whose Fresno State offense averaged 34.6 points last season.
"We just want him to be himself," Allen says. "He's a very cerebral guy and has a really good mind. He's very smart, and that's what you have to have. You've got to manage a lot of things.
"He has a creative mind. He's a guy who can see what he wants to build. It's the big-picture view of it, but also the confidence to teach the techniques and say, hey, is this the best way to do it, and then be able to have those conversations with coaches. And at the end of the day get it the way you want it. I told him, you get what you want. Tell me what you need and I'm going to support you in that way."
Expect an offense that varies the tempo rather than just pushes at full-throttle on every play.
"This spring we were completely focused on execution, executing the plays," DeBoer says, "because in the end they're still going to come down to third downs where there is no tempo, to where you have to execute, the defense got lined up, you made a substitution, and so the official is holding the ball. So you just have to execute that play.
"Now having the ability to vary the tempos is critical so a defense just can't get into a pattern or a routine or a rhythm. That's what offense is all about -- it's about the rhythm, and then having the ability to speed it up and throw something on them when the right time occurs. Maybe they're on their heels or there's a great flow. A lot of times those play calls are by the situation, the scenario that's happening.
"We will have that ability to play faster. And I know the guys are very comfortable with that. I'm excited to take that to the next level."
Also expect to see more running back contribution in the passing game. Running backs caught a total of 24 passes last season, led by Scott's 16 for 86 yards.
"I hope the running backs are very involved in the receiving game," DeBoer says. "You've always got to protect first, but if they're a threat to have the ball in their hands in more than just a way of handing it to them, those are some of your best athletes. They're explosive kids, and I think they've really seen that they're going to get their touches if they run their routes right and can gel with the quarterback and understand their assignments and the timing."
Beyond that, DeBoer's coaching versatility leaves a big impression.
"He understands all the positions," Allen says. "I believe he could coach them all. He could coach the O-line; he could coach receivers; he could coach running backs; he could coach quarterbacks, which he does, the tight ends. That's what you need. Not every coordinator leads that way."
That doesn't mean DeBoer takes over for running backs coach Mike Hart, offensive line coach Darren Hiller, receivers coach Grant Heard or tight ends coach Nick Sheridan.
"I don't think he micromanages in any way," Allen says, "but I'm just saying he has that confidence to know this is exactly what I'm looking for. "I've seen him do a great job of meshing the things that we've done here because we've done some good things on offense in the past. We've just got to get better."
Confidence is a recurring theme when Allen discusses DeBoer.
"There's a lot of confidence that he brings with him. It's kind of a quiet confidence. He understands exactly what he wants. It's this is what I see, this is how it's supposed to look, and we're not going to settle for anything less.
"There's a phrase that I was given years ago by a coach I highly respect and worked with, and it says, 'Conviction-driven leadership is based off a vision of perfection.' When you know what it's supposed to look like, you lead with confidence."
IU's big problem the past couple of seasons was the lack of big plays. DeBoer was hired to fix it, and his background -- and the Hoosiers' returning talent -- suggest that will happen fast.
"I think less than five percent of drives last year that were touchdowns didn't have an explosive play," DeBoer says. "So you need to have explosive plays."
One obvious way is the deep throw.
"What explosive plays to me are is a matter of timing and accuracy," DeBoer says. "All our quarterbacks have the ability to throw the ball down the field far enough as long as they're throwing on time, and I think that's the thing, as they go through the progressions, just make sure we're hitting that progression to the deep ball at the right time, and I think those guys understand some of our core concepts and have been working on it this summer, and we were successful at times this spring doing it.
"We'll continue to polish those up and expand on the offense and the opportunities that we can have to throw the ball down the field. I do think it's very important. You can't just throw it out there. You want it to go. You want it to be a touchdown. You want it to be a big play."
The spring was geared toward teaching assistant coaches as well as players. DeBoer had that burden alone because Allen kept the rest of his offensive staff intact.
"Sometimes when you hire coordinators they like bringing in their guys," Allen says. "I was like, these are my guys. I believe in them, and I'm not replacing any of them.
"To come in here like that takes some humility. It also takes confidence, and that (carries over) to our players."
DeBoer didn't scrap last year's entire offense. He kept what he liked, added what he preferred. It's a balance of the old and new.
"You prioritize what you think fits the personnel that's here. There's a great balance of still doing some of the things that they did well before you got here. There's some great schemes and great things that we executed well the last few years, so balancing that along with bringing in your style.
"My hats off to the staff that I get the chance to work with every day. They're experts. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I enjoy hearing the way they do things, have done things throughout their careers. I know what I like, but it doesn't always mean it's the perfect way that fits who we are right now and the personnel that we have."
A perfect fit likely isn't possible, but a right one certainly is.
DeBoer aims to deliver, no miracle required.
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Kalen DeBoer won't need miracles to turn an average Big Ten attack into an elite one.
"The pieces are here," Indiana's new offensive coordinator says. "I watched the guys this spring. I watched last year's games again, and you just have a good feeling that another year of experience underneath all these guys' belts, and a few tweaks here and there, and we could be off and rolling."
DeBoer boosted offenses at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Fresno State over the previous nine seasons, which followed an NAIA national championship run at Sioux Falls.
Can he do it at Indiana?
We're about to find out.
Under former offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, the Hoosiers were sixth and 10th in scoring in the Big Ten in the last two seasons, although the averages were basically the same -- 26.8 points in 2017, 26.4 last season. In former coach Kevin Wilson's last season, in 2016, Indiana averaged 25.8 points.
Now IU boasts plenty of talent, skill and experience at quarterback with Peyton Ramsey (2,875 yards, 19 touchdowns last season), Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle; two All-Big Ten-caliber receivers in Nick Westbrook and Donavan Hale; as much running back skill as perhaps the program has ever had, led by returning thousand-yard rusher Stevie Scott III; and three powerhouse senior offensive linemen in Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak.
Plus, DeBoer plans to fully utilize the tight ends, led by Peyton Hendershot.
As for what a potent Cream & Crimson offense could do, consider Indiana averaged 36.5 points in 2015, 38.4 points in 2013 and 30.8 points in 2012.
Head coach Tom Allen is optimistic about what's coming.
"It's been a very comprehensive and very involved offseason. We've done more player practices, more install, more things we've done on that side of the ball since I've been here, and I think we'll reap the benefits of that."
It starts with DeBoer, whose Fresno State offense averaged 34.6 points last season.
"We just want him to be himself," Allen says. "He's a very cerebral guy and has a really good mind. He's very smart, and that's what you have to have. You've got to manage a lot of things.
"He has a creative mind. He's a guy who can see what he wants to build. It's the big-picture view of it, but also the confidence to teach the techniques and say, hey, is this the best way to do it, and then be able to have those conversations with coaches. And at the end of the day get it the way you want it. I told him, you get what you want. Tell me what you need and I'm going to support you in that way."
Expect an offense that varies the tempo rather than just pushes at full-throttle on every play.
"This spring we were completely focused on execution, executing the plays," DeBoer says, "because in the end they're still going to come down to third downs where there is no tempo, to where you have to execute, the defense got lined up, you made a substitution, and so the official is holding the ball. So you just have to execute that play.
"Now having the ability to vary the tempos is critical so a defense just can't get into a pattern or a routine or a rhythm. That's what offense is all about -- it's about the rhythm, and then having the ability to speed it up and throw something on them when the right time occurs. Maybe they're on their heels or there's a great flow. A lot of times those play calls are by the situation, the scenario that's happening.
"We will have that ability to play faster. And I know the guys are very comfortable with that. I'm excited to take that to the next level."
Also expect to see more running back contribution in the passing game. Running backs caught a total of 24 passes last season, led by Scott's 16 for 86 yards.
"I hope the running backs are very involved in the receiving game," DeBoer says. "You've always got to protect first, but if they're a threat to have the ball in their hands in more than just a way of handing it to them, those are some of your best athletes. They're explosive kids, and I think they've really seen that they're going to get their touches if they run their routes right and can gel with the quarterback and understand their assignments and the timing."
Beyond that, DeBoer's coaching versatility leaves a big impression.
"He understands all the positions," Allen says. "I believe he could coach them all. He could coach the O-line; he could coach receivers; he could coach running backs; he could coach quarterbacks, which he does, the tight ends. That's what you need. Not every coordinator leads that way."
That doesn't mean DeBoer takes over for running backs coach Mike Hart, offensive line coach Darren Hiller, receivers coach Grant Heard or tight ends coach Nick Sheridan.
"I don't think he micromanages in any way," Allen says, "but I'm just saying he has that confidence to know this is exactly what I'm looking for. "I've seen him do a great job of meshing the things that we've done here because we've done some good things on offense in the past. We've just got to get better."
Confidence is a recurring theme when Allen discusses DeBoer.
"There's a lot of confidence that he brings with him. It's kind of a quiet confidence. He understands exactly what he wants. It's this is what I see, this is how it's supposed to look, and we're not going to settle for anything less.
"There's a phrase that I was given years ago by a coach I highly respect and worked with, and it says, 'Conviction-driven leadership is based off a vision of perfection.' When you know what it's supposed to look like, you lead with confidence."
IU's big problem the past couple of seasons was the lack of big plays. DeBoer was hired to fix it, and his background -- and the Hoosiers' returning talent -- suggest that will happen fast.
"I think less than five percent of drives last year that were touchdowns didn't have an explosive play," DeBoer says. "So you need to have explosive plays."
One obvious way is the deep throw.
"What explosive plays to me are is a matter of timing and accuracy," DeBoer says. "All our quarterbacks have the ability to throw the ball down the field far enough as long as they're throwing on time, and I think that's the thing, as they go through the progressions, just make sure we're hitting that progression to the deep ball at the right time, and I think those guys understand some of our core concepts and have been working on it this summer, and we were successful at times this spring doing it.
"We'll continue to polish those up and expand on the offense and the opportunities that we can have to throw the ball down the field. I do think it's very important. You can't just throw it out there. You want it to go. You want it to be a touchdown. You want it to be a big play."
The spring was geared toward teaching assistant coaches as well as players. DeBoer had that burden alone because Allen kept the rest of his offensive staff intact.
"Sometimes when you hire coordinators they like bringing in their guys," Allen says. "I was like, these are my guys. I believe in them, and I'm not replacing any of them.
"To come in here like that takes some humility. It also takes confidence, and that (carries over) to our players."
DeBoer didn't scrap last year's entire offense. He kept what he liked, added what he preferred. It's a balance of the old and new.
"You prioritize what you think fits the personnel that's here. There's a great balance of still doing some of the things that they did well before you got here. There's some great schemes and great things that we executed well the last few years, so balancing that along with bringing in your style.
"My hats off to the staff that I get the chance to work with every day. They're experts. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I enjoy hearing the way they do things, have done things throughout their careers. I know what I like, but it doesn't always mean it's the perfect way that fits who we are right now and the personnel that we have."
A perfect fit likely isn't possible, but a right one certainly is.
DeBoer aims to deliver, no miracle required.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballFB: Elijah Sarratt - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18
FB: Fernando Mendoza - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18
FB: Omar Cooper Jr. - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18
FB: Aiden Fisher - MSU Postgame Press Conference (10/18/25)
Saturday, October 18