Former Bears' safety Quintin Demps has been named the new head football coach at NAIA Judson University in Elgin, IL.
Small-school college football is a staple in the Chicagoland area. Between NCAA Division III schools and NAIA schools, Chicago and the surrounding area has plenty of representation. That said, what happens when the city's NFL team and these small schools collide? You have a big announcement. In this case, former Chicago Bears safety Quintin Demps has been named the head football coach at Judson University, a NAIA program in Elgin, IL.
Demps played nine NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears. Most of his career was spent in Houston, but Demps was a fourth-round pick out of UTEP by the Eagles in 2008.
The former NFL safety spent his final NFL season with the Bears in 2017, after agreeing to a three-year deal. However, Demps only suited up for three games in his first season, and thanks to injury his season was cut short and he was released by the team following the campaign.
Demps was a student in Trinity International University's mental health counseling program with a theology component following his playing career. TIU, a fellow NAIA university, was also one of the first places Demps coached. He spent time as the defensive coordinator at Grayslake Central High School, an assistant coach at TIU, and most recently was the defensive backs coach at Judson University. Now, he takes over for Dan Paplaczyk, who was let go following a rough 2-8 season in 2022.
"I want to first give glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he just continues to blow my mind with his unconditional love," said Demps. "I am beyond excited for this opportunity to be the next head coach at Judson University. I look forward to building a culture where God is honored, academics are a priority, and football is a privilege. I want to thank the Judson administration for believing in me. It's time!"
Demps' time at TIU led him to his mission of working with young athletes. After also coaching Track & Field at TIU and Judson, Demps brings plenty of coaching experience to his new role while trying to turn the program around and help the Eagles win the MSFA Midwest. In 2022, rival Saint Xavier University captured the conference for the 12th time in the program's history under head coach Mike Feminis. The Cougars lost in the first round of the NAIA playoffs.
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