Justin Deason joined the University of the Incarnate Word football program as the defensive coordinator in the spring of 2018.
In 2019, Deason’s second season with the Cardinals, he led a defense that helped the Cardinals win five games and set multiple records. UIW had two defensive student-athletes earn all-conference honors, including LB Kelechi Anyalebechi and DB Jaylon Jimmerson. Jimmerson added a HERO Sports Freshman All-America honorable mention accolade as well.
With Deason at the helm of the the defense, UIW forced 33 turnovers, which led the nation through the first round of the FCS Playoffs (third in final rankings). UIW had a takeaway in 23 consecutive games between 2017 and 2019. The Cardinals also tallied a national-best 1.33 turnover margin and were named statistical champions in that category.
UIW snagged 17 interceptions, a conference-high mark that finished seventh nationally. Additionally, their 16 fumbles recovered ranked third nationally. UIW’s defense scored four touchdowns, which led the SLC and ranked fifth in the nation.
Redshirt sophomore TJ Wright was named to the Academic All-District® football first team, selected by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
In his first season, the Cardinals had the most successful year in program history, marked by a Southland Conference championship and an FCS Playoffs berth. UIW was 1-10 overall and 1-7 in SLC action in 2017, resulting in one of the best turnarounds in program history when the Cardinals posted a 6-4 record in 2018 (six wins ties the program record).
Following the conclusion of UIW’s regular season (week 11), the Cardinals led the FCS with 29 turnovers forced. UIW recorded at least one turnover in every game played, including the playoffs, for the first time in program history. The turnover streak sits at 12 consecutive games following the 2018 season.
Of these 29 turnovers, 18 were interceptions, breaking the previous program record of 16 picks, set in 2011.
The defensive highlight of the season came against Sam Houston State on Nov. 1, when UIW forced a program-record seven turnovers. These seven turnovers in a single game also led the SLC in 2018. Additionally, the Cardinals recorded four interceptions at Central Arkansas (Nov. 10), setting the program record for picks in a single game.
Deason comes to UIW from Texas A&M-Commerce, where he spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator. Deason helped guide the Lions to a National Championship in 2017.
In 2017, under Deason, the Lions’ defense was in the nations’ top 30 in several categories. The Lions had the 15th best scoring defense in Division II, allowing just 16.7 points per game. Deason’s defense also was 9th in the country in interceptions (19), 11th in defensive passing efficiency, 13th in tackles for loss per game (8.5), 20th in red zone defense and sacks, 25th in turnovers gained (25), total defense (303.4 yards per game) and third down defense (32.8 percent).
Under Deason, Yusef Sterling-Lowe was named a second team All-American by both the AFCA and D2Football.com. In addition, three Lions were named first team All-LSC, four were named second team All-LSC and four were named honorable mention All-LSC. Deason’s defense was one of the best in the state of Texas. Of all scholarship schools in the state, no team gave up fewer points per game than the Lions, a feat that led to a scoring margin of 20.4 points per game The Lions also had the best red zone touchdown defense and recorded more sacks (45.0) than any other Texas school.
During the 2016 season under Deason, the Lion defense led the nation in turnovers, recording 38 takeaways in 12 games. The team also led the Lone Star Conference and was second in the nation in defensive touchdowns with seven. Additionally, the team was second in the nation in turnover margin, finishing the season with a +24 advantage. The Lions ranked fourth in the nation in interceptions with 23 and eighth in the nation in fumble recoveries with 15. The team was also 23rd in the nation in red zone defense.
Deason's group led the LSC in scoring defense (21.7 points per game) and was second in the conference in third down defense. Under Deason, Uriah Harris was named LSC Defensive Back of the Year. Harris was joined by Tavita Faaiu on the first team All-LSC list. Eight more defenders were named to the All-LSC honorable mention team.
In the 2015 season, Deason’s unit led the NCAA in team tackles for loss, averaging 10.8 per game. Defensive lineman Toni Pulu became the second-straight Lion to earn the LSC Defensive Player of the Year award at the conclusion of the season. Deason also guided 10 different Lions to All-LSC honors following the season.
Deason’s squad had the third best scoring defense in the Lone Star Conference, allowing only 29.5 points per game. Pulu was third in the league in sacks per game (.68). Linebacker Charles Woods ranked 12th in the NCAA and second in the LSC with 12.0 tackles per game.
In 2013, Deason coached the Lone Star Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in defensive lineman Charles Tuaau.
Deason came to Commerce from East Central University, where he spent the last five seasons as the Tigers' defensive coordinator. In 2011, his defensive unit ranked 15th in the nation in fumble recoveries (16) and third down defense, with opponents converting just 30.9 percent of the time. East Central also ranked 18th in turnovers forced (31), 20th in turnover margin and 43rd in total defense.
He coached three defensive All-Americans his final three years, including defensive end Armonty Bryant in 2010 and 2012, outside linebacker Jason Catchings in 2012 and cornerback Dontae Smith in 2011. Deason also worked with back-to-back conference defensive players of the year in Bryant (Lone Star Conference North in 2010) and Catchings (Great American Conference in 2011).
In 2012, Deason had nine players earn All-GAC honors, while seven earned the honors in 2011. The list includes back-to-back honors for Bryant, Catchings, Brian Gonzalez and Norris Wrenn. Wrenn finished his career as the all-time leading tackler at East Central, breaking the record set by NFL player Clifford Thirft in 1978 with 278 career tackles.
Deason was also key in developing the Tigers first NFL Draft pick since 1979 when Bryant was chosen as the No. 217 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2013 NFL Draft. Bryant was just the fifth player from ECU to be drafted into the NFL after setting the ECU career sacks record with 27.5.
Deason was instrumental in ECU’s run to a Lone Star Conference North Division title in 2010, guiding a Tiger defensive unit led by Bryant, who was third in the nation in sacks (led all defensive linemen in the country), along with all-region performer and cornerback Dontae Smith.
Bryant and Smith -- who led the LSC with six interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns) -- were first team All-LSC North selections while four others -- end Travis Buchanan, safety Norris Wrenn and outside linebackers Tyler McGrew and Jameel Whitney -- were named to the All-LSC North second team.
His 2010 Tiger defensive unit was ranked 13th in the nation in sacks per game (3.09) and tied for 21st in total passes intercepted (17). ECU also led the LSC in sacks, interceptions and turnovers gained. The Tigers scored seven defensive touchdowns in 2010 and registered their first shutout since the 1993 season.
Since joining NCAA Division II, Deason’s 2010 defense set the record for sacks (33) and interceptions (17) in a season and tied the mark for forcing turnovers (28).
Deason had a prior coaching stint at ECU from 2004-05 as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. He coached five all-conference players and one All-American. He had the preseason linebacker of the year in 2005, a punt returner who finished 10th nationally in 2005 and a punter who was ranked 12th nationally. The net punting for ECU in 2005 was 35th best in the country and his kickoff unit was among the best in 2004, holding opponents to limited yards in net returns.
At West Texas A&M in 2006, Deason coached four all-conference players and saw one of his linebackers make three different postseason All-America teams. The WT kickoff unit ranked 30th in the country, a punter ranked fifth in per punt average and a punt returner finished 17th in the nation in per return average. One kickoff specialist finished 19th in the nation and a punt team was 13th nationally in net punt coverage.
In 2007 with the Buffs, Deason had a kicker set two school records and went on to earn a spot in the Cactus Bowl all-star game. He also had a specialist lead the nation in return average. His special teams ranked 13th in the nation in kickoff defense and one of his linebackers earned All-Southwest Region honors and was named to two different All-America Teams. He also had a linebacker awarded the preseason and postseason linebacker of the year.
With WT in 2008, his specialty teams were ranked among the best in the nation. A pair of return specialists garnered All-Lone Star Conference South honors while one of his linebackers picked up an All-American award. The same linebacker was voted preseason and postseason linebacker of the year. The team finished second nationally in net punting. The kickoff returner was 27th in the country and his punter, Cort Johnson, finished with an average of 43.1 yards and went on to play for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers. One of Deason’s recruits, defensive end Eugene Sims, was selected as conference defensive lineman of the year and was selected in the 2010 draft by the St. Louis Rams. WT also finished with 12 blocked kicks. Deason was part of a 34-5 run and several national rankings by the Buffs.
Deason played two seasons as a linebacker at Oklahoma State. He was a two-year letterman at OSU and helped the Cowboys to a victory in the Houston Bowl. Deason played in both of OSU’s wins over top-ranked and Bedlam rival Oklahoma. He also made appearances against highly-ranked teams in Nebraska, UCLA, Texas A&M and Texas. His mentor is long time defensive coordinator Bill Clay.
Deason received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2003. He went on to earn a master’s degree in secondary administration -- with a 3.9 GPA -- from ECU in 2005.
Deason and his wife, Autumn, have two sons, Jaxon and Aboss, and a daughter, Aubrey.
