Two Paths, One Journey: Bethune, DeLoach families united by linebacker sons
For most of the past two years, linebackers Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune have formed the backbone of the Florida State defense.
As the connection between the defensive line and the secondary in Adam Fuller’s 4-2-5 defense, DeLoach and Bethune are often the key communicators who make sure everyone is on the same page. They also are extremely productive players, who have led the Seminoles in tackles in most games.
Coming into Saturday’s game against rival Florida, DeLoach leads the Florida State defense with 59 tackles in 10 games (he missed last week’s game against North Alabama with an injury). Bethune ranks second with 55 tackles.
Last season, Bethune recorded 84 tackles in 13 games, while DeLoach was right behind him with 65.
While the senior linebackers are preparing to play their final few games as Seminoles, we felt like Thanksgiving was a good time to reflect on how the tandem came together on the field, and how their families have come together off of it.
DeLoach, a Savannah, Ga., native, has been at Florida State since before head coach Mike Norvell arrived, while Miami product Bethune is one of the many important transfer additions Norvell has added to the program.
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Tatum’s parents, Greg and Shovon Bethune, and Kalen’s parents, Rob and Ivy DeLoach, took the time this past week to reflect on their journeys in this sit-down conversation with Warchant.
Among the topics they discussed:
- How Kalen embraced Tatum when he transferred in from UCF before the 2022 season.
- Why Kalen stayed at Florida State during the rough early years of his career. “We have a motto: We’re only gonna get married one time.”
- Why Tatum chose Florida State when he entered the transfer portal.
- The impact linebackers coach Randy Shannon has had on both young men. “He’s gonna give him some tough love when he need it. He’s gonna give him a hug when he needs to be hugged. He’s gonna give him a kick in the pants when he needs to get kicked in the pants.”
- How the two families have grown so close over the last two years.
- Why Kalen and Tatum fit so well together on the field.
- The linebackers’ tradition of eating a special meal together the night before games.
- How close the players on this Florida State football team are with each other, the relationships between all the parents, and how far this program has come.
- And finally, their outlook on the rest of the Seminoles’ season. From Greg Bethune: “My message to Florida State fans is this: You already have won. You’re already champions. Your program is at the forefront of college football. You have the highest graduation rate that you’ve had in a while. You’re in national prominence. You have an outstanding coach. You have outstanding leadership. You’re selling out your facility every week. You’ve already won. Everything else is icing on the cake. Be thankful. Be thankful of where we are.”
Watch the full interview right here:
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