An American college football coach, Kalen DeBoer, became the head coach at the University of Alabama on January 12, 2024, after Nick Saban retired.
Her single mother, Phylis Waterfall, played a significant role in shaping his character and resilience.
Highlights
- Phylis Waterfall lived in a rental house on a vacant farm, raised three children, and worked at a drugstore.
- When Kalen was 9, she divorced his biological father and remarried about seven years later.
- Kalen married Nicole Tendler in 2001, and they have two daughters.
Kalen Douglas DeBoer began playing football under head coach Bob Young at the University of Sioux Falls. He became a student assistant in 1997.
After graduation, he played for the Sioux Falls Falcons before moving to the Sioux Falls Cobras of the Indoor Football League (IFL).
He ended his playing career to become an assistant coach at Washington High School in 1998 and held the offensive coordinator position from 2000 to 2004.
On December 1, 2004, he was promoted to head coach and won three NAIA national championships in 2006, 2008, and 2009.
Moreover, he became offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois under Dale Lennon, Eastern Michigan University under Chris Creighton, Fresno State under Jeff Tedford, and Indiana under Tom Allen.
Later, Kalen was hired as the head football coach at Fresno State in 2020 but left to join the University of Washington on November 29, 2021.
He was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year for the 2022 season and 2023 season.
Phylis Waterfall Raised Three Kids As A Single Mom
Kalen DeBoer was born to Phylis Waterfall, a single mother, on October 24, 1974. She raised him in Milbank, South Dakota, where he attended Milbank High School.
He was born into a Jewish family, but he hasn’t talked much about his biological father with the tabloids. Some sources claimed his parents divorced around his ninth birthday.
Kalen DeBoer said, “You get what you deserve.”
— Greg Berge (@gb1121) October 2, 2024
No truer words can be said for athletes and teams.
– There is no easy route to success.
– You must put in the work.
– Everything is earned.
NO DEPOSIT – NO RETURN!
pic.twitter.com/viMLCVFBKr
Phylis took responsibility for three kids working diligently at a drugstore and living in a rental house on a vacant farm. She leaned on Kalen and god.
It is reported that he has a brother and sister who encouraged him to pursue an athletic career.
Kalen had the role of a man, the oldest of three kids in the house, who would mow a big plot of land on the farm property to play football with his siblings and cousins.
He grew up quickly after his mother remarried about seven years later.
He expresses that he has a good relationship with his biological father but was never around while growing up.
My dad and I stayed in touch. Just don’t want it to come across in a negative way toward him.
Kalen DeBoer email to USA TODAY Sports.
However, he found a father figure and mentor, Bob Young, who has significantly impacted the athlete’s career.
Your dad is the most influential male in my life. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without him.
After Bob’s tragic demise, Kalen sent text messages to his son, Steve.
Despite all the challenges Kalen faced in childhood, he recalls his mother’s love and feels safe around her.
She has supported him throughout his career, and the head coach believes that his mother instilled in him the moral of a good human being from a young age.
Kalen DeBoer Is A Proud Father Of Two Daughters
Kalen DeBoer dated Nicole Tendler in the summer of 2000 at the University of Sioux Falls. They have described their relationship as love at first sight.
The lovebirds married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls on December 29, 2001. The Daily Argus-Leader featured their union in its wedding column.
Lucky to have 2 amazing daughters! Love you both! #NationalDaughtersDay pic.twitter.com/QU4Pg7CSnt
— Kalen DeBoer (@KalenDeBoer) September 26, 2023
The married couple has two daughters, Avery and Alexis. Their youngest daughter, Avery, loves to enjoy horseback riding.
On the other hand, their eldest daughter, Alexis, excelled in softball at Bellevue High and joined the University of Washington in November 2023, following in her father’s footsteps.
Furthermore, Nicole Tendler, the daughter of Terry and Lori Tendler, was born in December 1978 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Since childhood, she has had a deep passion for basketball and joined Augustana University’s basketball team. In 2001, she graduated with a degree in fitness management.
Nonetheless, the married couple has been together for over 2 decades, supporting each other throughout their journey.
Nicole occasionally shares their family pictures on social media.
Kalen describes her as a pillar of strength from the beginning of their relationship. Her support has left an incredible mark on his professional career.
Additional Information
- Kalen DeBoer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Sioux Falls in 1998.
- He played one season of independent league baseball with the Canton Crocodiles and another with the Renner Monarchs.
- He suffered his only loss of the 2023 season to Michigan in the CFP National Championship.
- His net worth is estimated at $20 million, and he earns about $10.00 million annually as of 2024.
