Josh Heupel shares excitement to have fellow South Dakota native Kalen DeBoer in the SEC

Kalen DeBoer is not the only coach in the SEC to claim South Dakota in his home state. Tennessee‘s Josh Huepel is also from the Mount Rushmore State, being born in Aberdeen. DeBoer is from around an hour and a half east, originally residing in Milbank before playing and coaching at Sioux Falls.

When Heupel was asked about two South Dakotans now being head coaches in the SEC, he said it would have been hard to believe a while back. There is a relationship between DeBoer and Heupel and not just through the coaching world. The two have a three-year gap difference but Heupel says they crossed paths during their playing days.

“I’m not sure anybody pictured two South Dakotans being in the SEC a few years ago,” Heupel said at SEC Media Days. “Kalen is somebody that I’ve known for a long time. I was a little bit younger, watched him as an athlete and 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, and we’ll be ready for Saturday in October.”

Having them coach separately in the SEC would be one thing. But going head-to-head in the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry will bring a different kind of juice. Heupel is always well-versed in what the Third Saturday in October means but DeBoer will be getting his first taste this season.

Traveling to Knoxville is undoubtedly going to be one of the toughest games Alabama plays this season. Neyland Stadium was a madhouse during the last matchup as Heupel got his time on Rocky Top really started with an upset of the Crimson Tide and former head coach Nick Saban.

Revenge was served in 2023 in Tuscaloosa, giving Saban 17 wins against the Vols in 18 seasons.

One of the streakier rivalries out there, Heupel is looking to reverse course and go on a winning streak of his own against Alabama. DeBoer will be on the other side trying to win on his own accord, hoping to smoke his first cigar this October.

Birmingham will likely have the highest television numbers during this year’s Alabama-Tennessee game. Big cities across Tennessee should follow, with people across the state supporting the Volunteers. But maybe places in South Dakota will be tuning in as well — watching two of their own go head-to-head in an intense SEC rivalry.