Indiana made a huge addition to its staff earlier this week, as Kalen DeBoer was named the program’s new offensive coordinator heading into the 2019 season.

Experienced as a head coach, offensive coordinator and play-caller, DeBoer brings the kind of ingenuity and expertise the Hoosiers need on that side of the ball. Particularly in the B1G East, Indiana needs a fresh offensive strategy to compete with the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.

DeBoer was officially introduced as Indiana’s offensive coordinator on Friday, and spoke with the media about taking the position in Bloomington. He, along with head coach Tom Allen, believes the program is on the verge of doing big things.

“I know how close we are to taking that next step in this program,” DeBoer said. “I’m looking forward to making an impact on that.”

Last season at Fresno State, DeBoer helped lead the Bulldogs to an 11-2 season while averaging 34.6 points per game. Prior to becoming an offensive coordinator at the FBS level, he was the head coach at Sioux Falls, an NAIA program. There, he went 67-3 in five years and won four national championships.

DeBoer’s teams went undefeated in three separate seasons.

DeBoer was impressed with the Indiana coaching staff and the commitment to winning within the program. He also said that getting on campus, getting to know the individuals and checking out the facilities were also huge reasons to come to Bloomington.

“Getting on campus and seeing the facilities, I was honestly blown away,” DeBoer said. “It’s exciting to see the investment that Coach [Allen] talks about that’s been made here. The guys have a great environment — it’s a feel of winning that we’re surrounded by.

“Just as I met the staff — a few of them I had known — I became more and more impressed just with the all-in mindset that they have, the excitement they have towards the future and how close we are.”

Indiana has finished the last two seasons 5-7, just missing the postseason both years. Since Allen took over, the Hoosiers have struggled offensively, an issue that’s expected to be corrected this fall.

DeBoer takes over for former offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, who resigned from the position in early January after two years with IU.