Kim Dameron

Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Official Athletic Site of the Eastern Illinois Panthers

Title

Head Football Coach
Email

rkdameron@eiu.edu

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Printed Bio Sheet For Coach Kim Dameron

Eastern Illinois
* Hired as 24th head coach of Eastern Illinois football in January 2014
* Begins fifth season as head coach at EIU with 2018 season
* Enters 2018 season with EIU record of 24-22 overall, 21-11 in Ohio Valley Conference
* First collegiate head coaching win was Sept. 20, 2014 against Austin Peay (63-7)
* Panthers have posted three straight winning seasons (2015, 2016, 2017)
* Led EIU to 2015 FCS playoff appearance (ranked No. 23 in final FCS Coaches Poll)
* Coached Kamu Grugier-Hill (6th round NFL Draft pick), current Super Bowl Champion member of Philadelphia Eagles
* Coached OVC Defensive Player of the Year Dino Fanti (2015)
* Coached two Freshman All-Americans - Nick Bruno (2014) and Mark Williams (2017)
* Coached 11 first team All-OVC players
* Coached 14 second team All-OVC players
* Coached seven All-OVC Newcomer team selections
* In 2014 team ranked 11th in NCAA in total offense, tied school record for rushing yards in a game (413)

Prior To Eastern Illinois
* Defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech (2013)
* Defense was fourth most improved squad in FBS going from 120th to 69th in total defense
* Coached at Cornell University (2011-12), defensive coordinator in 2012
* Coached at Ole Miss (2008-10), working as safeties coach
* Helped Ole Miss reach 2008 & 2009 Cotton Bowls
* Had two players selected in the NFL Draft
* Pass defense was ranked 15th in NCAA and 11th in pass efficiency defense
* Defensive coordinator at Louisiana Monroe (2005-07)
* ULM defense ranked third nationally in turnovers gained and led Sun Belt in fewest points allowed
* ULM became bowl eligible for the first time at the FBS level picking up win over Alabama in 2007
* Defensive coordinator at Stephen F. Austin (2001-04)
* Defensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois (2000) under head coach Bob Spoo
* Helped EIU go from 2-10 season to 8-4 as Panthers won OVC Championship and reached FCS playoffs
* Secondary Coach with Toronto Argonauts of Canadian Football League (1999)
* Coached at Cincinnati (1996-98), serving as defensive coordinator in 1998
* Helped Cincinnati reach Humanitarian Bowl in 1997
* Defensive coordinator at Murray State (1993-95)
* Helped MSU win OVC Championship and reach FCS playoffs in 1995
* Coached at UNLV in 1992 working as secondary coach
* Coached at Missouri State (1986-91) working as secondary coach
* Helped Missouri State reach FCS playoffs in 1989 and 1990
* Graduate assistant coach at Arkansas (1983)

Personal
* Played football at University of Arkansas (1979-82) under head coach Lou Holtz
* Played wide receiver and defensive back
* Played in four bowl games as a player - Suger Bowl (1979), Hall of Fame (1980), Gator (1981), Bluebonnet (1982)
* Bachelor's degree from Arkansas in 1983
* Inducted into Rogers HS Hall of Fame in Class of 2018
* He and wife Debbie have one daughter - Krystle (husband Mike) and two grandchildren (Emma & Ava)
* Granddaughter Emma was born on Emma was born on Aug. 28, 2014 same day Dameron made head coaching debut against Minnesota
* Native of Rogers, Ark.