Former Bears Safety Quintin Demps Named Head Football Coach at Judson University

Small school college football is a staple in the Chicagoland area. Between NCAA Division III schools and NAIA schools, Chicago and its surrounding areas are widely represented. 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 head football coach at Judson University, an NAIA program in Elgin, IL.

Demps played nine seasons in the NFL 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 UTEP pick by the Eagles in 2008.

The former NFL safety spent his final season in the NFL with the Bears in 2017, after agreeing to a three-year contract. However, Demps only played three games in his first season, and thanks to injury his season was cut short and he was released by the team after the campaign.

Demps was a student in Trinity International University’s mental health counseling program with a theology component following his playing career. TIU, another NAIA university, was also one of the first places Demps coached. He spent time as a defensive coordinator at Grayslake Central High School, an assistant coach at TIU, and most recently served as a defensive backs coach at Judson University. Now he succeeds Dan Papaczyk, who was let go after a difficult 2-8 season in 2022.

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“I want to give glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first, he just continues to blow me away with his unconditional love,” Demps said. “I am beyond thrilled with 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. to thank the Judson administration for believing in me. It’s time!”

Demps’ time at TIU led him to his mission to work with young athletes. Having also coached athletics at TIU and Judson, Demps brings a wealth 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 won the conference for the 12th time in program history under head coach Mike Feminis. The Cougars lost in the first round of the NAIA playoffs.