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| Mike DuBose | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mike DuBose |
| Birth date | 29 October 1953 |
| Birth place | Mobile, Alabama |
| Alma mater | University of Alabama |
| Player positions | Linebacker |
| Coach years | 1976–2000 |
| Coach teams | University of Alabama; Ole Miss; Arkansas; South Carolina; East Mississippi CC; Jacksonville State |
| Overall record | 28–24–1 (Alabama) |
Mike DuBose
Mike DuBose (born October 29, 1953) is an American former college football player and coach best known for his tenure as head coach at the University of Alabama during the late 1990s. A former linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide, he later served as an assistant under coaches including Gene Stallings, Bill Curry, and Richard Williamson. DuBose's career intersected with programs and personalities across the SEC and the broader NCAA landscape.
DuBose was born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in the Gulf Coast region during the 1950s and 1960s, an era that saw figures such as Paul "Bear" Bryant dominate regional sports attention. He attended local schools before enrolling at the University of Alabama, where he played as a linebacker for the Crimson Tide under coaches connected to the traditions of Bear Bryant and later staff such as Gene Stallings. During his playing years DuBose competed in rivalries against programs including the Auburn Tigers, LSU Tigers, and Tennessee Volunteers, participating in seasons that culminated in bowl games like the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl.
DuBose transitioned to coaching after his playing days, joining staffs across the Southeastern Conference and national programs. Early assistant positions connected him with schools such as Mississippi State, Arkansas, and South Carolina, placing him in conferences alongside Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, and Ole Miss Rebels. As a defensive coach and later defensive coordinator, he mentored players who would face opponents like Notre Dame and Clemson Tigers in high-profile matchups, and worked within coaching trees that included contemporaries such as Nick Saban, Phillip Fulmer, and Steve Spurrier.
DuBose was promoted to head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide in 1997 following the resignation of Gene Stallings and internal searches that involved candidates from programs like Ohio State and Michigan Wolverines. His 1997 season featured an unexpected turnaround with a winning record and victories over rivals including the Auburn Tigers and contest games against Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers. The 1998 season saw the team contend in the SEC West and appear in postseason play, with bowl invitations connecting Alabama to events such as the Music City Bowl and matchups against teams like the Virginia Tech Hokies and Michigan State Spartans.
DuBose's tenure also involved controversies and challenges that drew attention from media outlets covering college athletics and prompted involvement from university administrators and institutions such as the NCAA. His coaching staff changes and program decisions intersected with broader SEC storylines involving figures like Pat Dye and Bobby Bowden. Ultimately, administrative decisions driven by program expectations and alumni sentiment led to his departure after the 2000 season.
After Alabama, DuBose continued coaching at multiple levels, including positions with East Mississippi CC, Florida State-affiliated staffs, and at Jacksonville State. He worked alongside coaches from programs such as Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas, and junior college circuits that compete with teams like Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. DuBose's post-Alabama career also overlapped with professional conversations involving the NFL pipeline and talent evaluation tied to events like the NFL Draft, and he maintained connections with former players who pursued careers in the CFL and professional coaching ranks.
DuBose's personal life has been intertwined with Alabama football culture and figures including former teammates, coaches, and administrators from institutions such as University of Alabama System affiliates and prominent SEC programs. His legacy is discussed in the context of Alabama's coaching history alongside names like Gene Stallings, Bear Bryant, Nick Saban, Doug Dickey, and Ray Perkins. Analysts and historians of college football reference DuBose when examining coaching transitions, program expectations, and the evolution of SEC football in the 1990s and early 2000s, situating his tenure among rivalries with Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee. DuBose remains a figure in regional sports narratives and alumni recollections, contributing to broader discussions about coaching careers at major programs.
Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football coaches Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players Category:College football head coaches in the United States