Former NFL First Round Pick Named Head Coach of Illinois College

A former first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, who last played in the league in 2020, has been quietly working as a coach for a Division-II college football team. His hard work as an associate head coach paid off, for he was just named the head coach of the team this week.

The player is Dion Jordan, the star defensive end out of Oregon, who was selected third overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2013 NFL Draft. Jordan's pro career was an underwhelming one. He'd be the first to tell you.

READ MORE: Illinois High School Hires Three-Time Super Bowl Champ as Head Coach

What Happened to Dion Jordan?:

Besides being statistically lackluster when he did play, Jordan faced multiple suspensions during his time in Miami for violating the NFL's substance policy. Such suspensions caused him to miss the entirety of the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He would go on to play for the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers, but never came close to living up to his high draft pick status.

In an interview on the Miami Dolphins' Fish Tank podcast, Jordan spoke candidly about why his NFL career didn't pan out like many thought:

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I didn’t have my life in order. My life outside of ball wasn’t in balance. You know, it wasn’t what it needed to be to match all of that stuff and I struggled, dude. I struggled coming in. I struggled understanding the plays and the playbook. When I left the facility, it didn’t help because I’m out partying. I’m enjoying the money I have, and I’m just putting myself behind the eight-ball. I’m hurt, you know. Sometimes I’m missing my rehabs, so that’s not helping - Dion Jordan, per The Fish Tank podcast

Dion Jordan's Second Act as a Head Coach:

Now, Jordan is writing his own redemption story as head coach of the Eureka Red Devils. The team belongs to Eureka College, a small, private four-year school in the central Illinois town of Eureka. He's got a tall task in front of him, however. Since Jordan has joined the team, the Red Devils have gone 2-18 over the past two seasons, including a winless campaign in 2024.

Given the ferociousness with which Division-I schools can lure athletes with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals and financial compensation, it makes D-II and D-III schools have to work even harder to obtain recruits. That said, college football at the D-II and D-III level is about more than just the win-loss record. It's about instilling values in young men and fostering a sense of brotherhood, something Jordan undoubtedly knows a lot about. His experiences in the pros will surely be of great benefit to his players.

Read Dion Jordan's bio on Eureka College's website.