The Unique Connection Between Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Tennessee’s Josh Heupel

The iconic Third Saturday in October rivalry will feature a unique twist this season, as two South Dakota natives will be on opposite sidelines.

When Alabama football and Tennessee clash in 2024, it will be a special moment as Josh Heupel leads the Vols and Kalen DeBoer takes charge of the Crimson Tide.

Remarkably, Heupel and DeBoer grew up just 90 minutes apart—Heupel hailing from Aberdeen and DeBoer from Milbank.

“I’m not sure anybody pictured two South Dakotans being in the SEC a few years ago,” Heupel said at SEC Media Days in Dallas. “Kalen is somebody I’ve known for a long time. I was a little bit younger. I watched him as an athlete. Then through our coaching paths have crossed and stayed in contact at different times. Excited to have him in the league. Great person, great coach. We’ll be ready for Saturday in October.”

After their high school football careers in South Dakota, DeBoer and Heupel's paths diverged. Heupel ventured out of the state for college, ultimately landing at Oklahoma where he won a national championship. Following a brief NFL career, Heupel transitioned into coaching with stops at Oklahoma, Utah State, and Missouri. He eventually became the head coach at Central Florida before taking the reins at Tennessee.

DeBoer, on the other hand, remained in South Dakota for a time, playing college football at Sioux Falls where he also won a national championship at the NAIA level. His coaching career began in high school football, and he later returned to Sioux Falls as offensive coordinator before becoming head coach and winning multiple national championships. His coaching journey then took him to Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State, and Indiana as an assistant before he became the head coach at Fresno State, then Washington, and now Alabama, taking over after Nick Saban's retirement in January.

The much-anticipated showdown between DeBoer and Heupel is set for Oct. 19 in Knoxville.