In December of 2012, Damon Tomeo was announced as the 30th Head Football Coach in Knox College history.
Entering his 22nd year in the coaching ranks, Tomeo has produced new found success for Prairie Fire Football. His team’s five wins in the 2017 campaign marked the most in his tenure and the highest mark since the 2002 squad went 6-4. Since his inaugural season, Tomeo has coached 41 All-Midwest Conference selections and has had over 95 players named to the Midwest Conference All-Academic Team. The 2020 Graduating Senior Class amassed the best 4 year record since 2005-2008.
Off the field, the Prairie Fire Football program has completed numerous community service projects for various organizations throughout Galesburg as part of an initiative led by Tomeo to increase Knox’s involvement within the community.
Prior to accepting the position at Knox, the California native served the 2011 and 2012 seasons as an Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in Claremont, CA. During his time there, Pomona-Pitzer improved in total defense, scoring defense and passing defense. Tomeo also played an integral part in the team’s recruiting efforts, helping Pomona-Pitzer to their largest roster size in the school’s history.
1. If you could coach any sport (that you do not already coach) what would it be? (does not have to be a sport at Knox)
If I could coach any other sport other than football, it would have to be golf! I always enjoy playing, never play enough, and being around the golf course would seem to be fun. I am guessing the golf coach would say he would want to be a football coach?!
2. What advice would you give your younger self knowing where you are today?
Two things I would share with a younger me would be to never stop learning or asking why and constantly find ways to connect and help the players and those others around the program and campus community.
3. What do you love most about your job?
Working with the student-athletes on a day to day basis, through the ups and downs of the college years, seeing them develop into leaders and watching their relationships grow with their teammates.
4. What do you enjoy most about Division 3?
We talk a lot in our recruiting that Division 3 provides a great balance between academics and athletics, you can focus on being a great student yet do the work to maximize your athletic ability as well.
5. What is one tip you would give an incoming FY?
Just be you! People will accept you for who you are, you don’t have to be fake and change everything about you when you get to college. And give it some time, everything is NEW when you get to college, be patient and it will be a great experience.
6. Why did you choose Knox?
I really enjoyed the sense of community that Knox and Galesburg provided, combined with all the terrific people I met throughout the interview process.
7. What do you love about Knox?
Year after year, the people of Knox continue to amaze me with their caring attitude for the students, their beyond normal efforts.
