Following the announcement of Kalen DeBoer as the new head football coach for the University of Alabama, replacing the legendary Nick Saban, a wave of online chatter erupted. Adding to the buzz was the similar last name shared with Pete DeBoer, the head coach of the Dallas Stars in the NHL. This naturally led many to ask: Is Kalen Deboer Related To Pete Deboer?
The Dallas Stars themselves waded into the confusion with a humorous social media post. Acknowledging the questions, they playfully declared, “Head coach Pete DeBoer is still the head coach of the Dallas Stars. Pete DeBoer is NOT leaving to become the head coach of the University of Alabama football program.”
So, are these two successful coaches related? The answer is no. Despite sharing the same last name and both achieving prominence in the world of sports coaching, Kalen and Pete DeBoer are not known to have any familial connection. It appears to be a case of pure coincidence.
Kalen DeBoer, celebrated for his recent success leading the Washington Huskies to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, has built an impressive career in college football. His move to Alabama marks a significant step, taking over from one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. DeBoer’s statement upon accepting the Alabama job highlighted the magnitude of the opportunity, suggesting it was a select few programs that could entice him away from Washington.
Pete DeBoer, on the other hand, has carved out a distinguished career in the National Hockey League. Currently at the helm of the Dallas Stars, he has a long history of coaching success in the NHL, including leading multiple teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. His background includes playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs before transitioning into coaching.
The humorous intervention from the Dallas Stars underscores the power of social media in today’s sports landscape. It also cleverly addressed fan queries and injected some lightheartedness into the news cycle surrounding Kalen DeBoer’s high-profile appointment at Alabama. While they may share a surname and a profession, Kalen DeBoer and Pete DeBoer operate in different sporting arenas and are not related, their similar names simply sparking a moment of amusing confusion.
