EIU Recruiting Areas: Chicago (Cook County)
Pro Liaison
Follow on Twitter @EIU_FB and @CoachDJBland
Eastern Illinois
* Hired as assistant coach in February 2022 on head coach Chris Wilkerson's staff
* Will coach cornerbacks
* Serves as EIU's Pro Liaison
Before Eastern Illinois
* Hired as defensive coordinator at Quincy College following 2021 season
* Worked as an assistant coach at Missouri University of Science and Technology (2018-21)
* Coached defensive backs and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021
* Served as recruiting coordinator
* In 2021 defense ranked 17th in all of Division II in sacks, ranked in top three in GLVC in eight defensive categories
* In 2018 team won Mineral Water Bowl, ranking 15th in Division II in total defense
* During tenure on defensive staff, unit ranked in top three in GLVC in 22 different defensive categories
* Coached five first team All-GLVC performers
* Coached two All-Region performers (Cameron Clemons & Roderick Chapman)
* Coached one Division II All-American (Roderick Chapman in 2018)
* Worked as an assistant coach at Rose-Human (2017 season)
* Coached defensive backs and served as JV team defensive coordinator
* Helped defense rank in the top 20 in the NCAA Division III in six categories including second in nation in sacks
* Coached two All-HCAC first team performers
* Helped coach All-American Alec Thompson
* Worked as an assistant coach at St. Norbert College (2016 season)
* Coached defensive backs and served as recruiting coordinator
* Helped defense rank in top 20 in the NCAA Division III in five categories including 3rd in turnovers gained
* Coached two All-MWC first team performers
* Helped coach All-American Ryan Grandlic
* Worked as an assistant coach at Palm Harbor High School (2015 season)
* Served as defensive coordinator, team posted best record in school history at 7-4
Personal
* Was a four-year member of Eastern Illinois football team (2010-14)
* Member of 2012 and 2013 OVC Championship and FCS playoff teams
* Bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois in 2014
* Native of Chicago, Illinois (attending De La Salle Institute)