DeBord mum about resignation rumors

Football head coach Mike DeBord refused comment on newspaper reports about his impending resignation Tuesday.

“I don’t know,” DeBord said. “We’ll see what happens.”

An article in Monday’s Mount Pleasant Morning Sun said a single, unnamed source told the newspaper the coach would resign as early as Wednesday, after details surrounding his current three-year contract are resolved.

CMU players denied knowing anything about the resignation.

“That’s news to me,” said wide receiver Scott Gibson. “I haven’t heard anything about that.”

Gibson, who will enter his junior season in 2004, was third on the Chippewas in receiving yards during the disappointing 2003 season. Central finished the season with a 3-9 record.

Gibson said he has met with members of the coaching staff a couple times since the season-ending 63-34 loss at Navy Nov. 22. He said he does not know anything else about the situation.

Other CMU players denied any knowledge of a coaching change.

“We haven’t heard anything of it,” said freshman defensive back Terrance Robinson. “We were under the impression he’d be back for next season. We really thought it would depend on how things went next year.”

Athletics Director Herb Deromedi also told the Morning Sun that he knows nothing about the reports.

“I have nothing in my hands that says coach DeBord won’t be back next season,” Deromedi said in the article.

The resignation would come at a damaging time for the program. December is an important month for securing commitments for next fall’s incoming freshmen class.

Recruits can sign letters-of-intent February 6 on National Signing Day.

In four seasons in Mount Pleasant, DeBord has guided
the Chippewas to a 12-34 record. Two of the team’s
three wins this past season were against Division I-AA
opponents Eastern Kentucky and New Hampshire.

Job security has not been good in the MAC in 2003, as Akron’s Lee Owens, Central Florida’s Mike Kruczek and Eastern Michigan’s Jeff Woodruff all have either been fired or have resigned this season. All three schools have named replacements for the positions.

DeBord said a release would be given to Central Michigan Life if his resignation were to occur.