Austin Guptel Named Defensive Coordinator for Blueboys

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Austin Guptel has been hired as the defensive coordinator for the Illinois College football program, it was announced by Head Coach Ray DeFrisco.

Guptel comes to the Hilltop with a decade of coaching experience at various levels on the defensive side of the ball.

"I am excited to welcome Austin to our coaching staff as our defensive coordinator," said DeFrisco. "His wide range of experience gives him an excellent perspective. I believe his knowledge and personality make him a perfect fit for our program."

"I am beyond excited to join the Illinois College football family," Guptel said. "Going through the interview process, I was blown away by how welcoming and family-orientated the administration, staff, and players were here at IC. I believe in the values and culture of our program and institution and can't wait to be part of it. I look forward to helping these young men develop on and off the football field."

Guptel comes to IC from Shenandoah University where he has been the defensive backs coach and video coordinator since 2022. During his time with the Hornets, he coached four All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference selections and helped lead a defense that was statistically the best in school history.

Before his stint at Shenandoah, Guptel was the defensive backs coach, special teams coordinator, and recruiting coordinator at Clarion University. He has also coached defensive backs at St. Vincent College and Central Connecticut State, where he also worked as the defensive quality control specialist. 

Austin also has coaching experience in the Midwest, serving as the cornerbacks coach and video coordinator for the University of Sioux Falls. During his stint with the Cougars, he helped coach a squad that was ranked second in the country in total defense and eighth in takeaways.

Before joining the staff in Sioux Falls, Guptel was a defensive quality control manager and assisted with coaching the defensive backs at Chattanooga. While with the Mocs, he was a part of a defensive staff that boasted the top-ranked pass defense in the Southern Conference.

As a student-athlete, Guptel was a defensive back for Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. 

Guptel got his start in coaching as a student assistant at Central Connecticut State where he earned an economics degree in 2015. He also holds a master's degree in Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania.

Austin and his wife Jill are the parents of four daughters, Calamita, Cadiana, Emilia, and Alana.