Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Position: Assistant Coach - Defensive Line
Years at EIU: 1st year
Alma Mater: Nicholls State, 2009

Kwahn Drake joined head coach Kim Dameron's Eastern Illinois football staff in February 2017.  Drake will serve as the defensive line coach for the Panthers.

Drake spent the 2016 season as an offensive analyst for Memphis under head coach Mike Norvell.  Memphis posted an 8-5 record on the season playing in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Prior to that Drake coached for two seasons as the defensive line coach at Tulane under head coach Curtis Johnson.  His defensive line group helped the Green Wave rank 12th in the FBS in tackles for loss per game during the 2015 season. He coached defensive tackle Tanzel Smart and defensive end Royce LaFrance as the pair ranked first and second in tackles for loss at Tulane.   Drake also spent two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant coach with Tulane.

A respected New Orleans recruiter, Drake coached two seasons as the defensive line coach at St. Augustine High in New Orleans helping the school win back-to-back District Championships.  He served as the program's recruiting coordinator and academic advisor helping 25 players sign NCAA Division I football scholarships.  He coached the 2009 season as the defensive line coach at St. James (La.) High School.

A 2009 graduate of Nicholls State, Drake began his coaching career as a student-assistant at his alma mater working with the defensive line and on scouting reports.  He earned his master's degree from Tulane in 2013.