David Marquis finished his first season as Valpo’s defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach in 2023.

During the 2023 campaign, Marquis’ defense ranked among conference and national leaders in scoring defense (24.8, second PFL, 50^th FCS), total defense (318.5, second PFL, 22^nd FCS) and rushing defense (123.3, first PFL, 28^th FCS). The 2023 Beacons boasted the team’s best total defense and scoring defense in a traditional fall season since 2000. The group also achieved its best rushing defense in a fall season since 2007. Valpo allowed just 175 yards of total offense in a 21-7 win over Dayton on Nov. 4, the fewest yards permitted by the Valpo defense in a league game since Nov. 15, 2008 at Campbell.

Under Marquis’ direction in 2023, Tyler Geiman led the PFL and ranked third nationally with 1.6 passes defended per game, while Sam Hafner finished the season with 63 tackles, the second most nationally among defensive linemen. Linebacker Evan Annis was named the PFL Scholar-Athlete of the Year, becoming the first Valpo player to earn that award. In Marquis’ first season at Valpo, five members of the defense earned All-PFL honors – Sam Hafner on the First Team, Evan Annis on the Second Team and Max Franco, Tyler Geiman and Mohamed Kamara with Honorable Mention.

Marquis arrived at Valpo after serving as the defensive coordinator at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio since April 2019. That marked his second stint leading the Wittenberg defense after he also did so from March 2015 to April 2017. Those two tenures were sandwiched around his time as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Dayton from May 2017 to March 2019, when he worked under Landon Fox, who served as Dayton’s defensive coordinator at that time. Marquis had a previous stint at Dayton as defensive line coach from July 2011 to December 2012.

Marquis’ prior experience also includes time at Randolph-Macon College (January 2013-May 2015, linebackers coach/special teams coordinator; July 2006-May 2008, tight ends coach) and Kent State University (June 2008-May 2011, defensive graduate assistant). He earned both his bachelor’s in education (May 2006) and his master’s in sports and recreation management (May 2010) from Kent State.

What They’re Saying About David Marquis

Jim Collins, Wittenberg Head Coach: “Coach Marquis is an outstanding coach and a true professional. He is an expert when it comes to defensive football and his ability to teach the game at a high level. I really enjoyed the short time I had with him and I know he will do a great job at Valpo.”

Pedro Arruza, Randolph-Macon Head Coach: “Dave had two stints on our staff. He was an excellent teacher, related well to our players and always brought great ideas to our staff meetings. Even now, we talk on a regular basis and share ideas about strategy, recruiting, coaching and a number of other things. He will be a tremendous addition to the Valpo football program.”

Rick Chamberlin, Former Dayton Head Coach: “Dave has a high football IQ when it comes to defense. Because of his coaching ability, both Dayton and Wittenberg enjoyed successful seasons and did very well on defense. I believe Valparaiso’s opponents will have a tough time moving the ball against Valpo next year.”

Matt Edwards, Las Vegas Raiders Pass Rush Specialist: “I have great respect for Dave as a football coach, but more importantly as a person. He is an extremely hard worker and excellent teacher. I believe that Dave does an excellent job caring about his players and putting them in position to be successful.”