EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College Athletic Director Sara Shaw has announced Dion Jordan as the 21st head football coach in Red Devils history.

Jordan takes over the program after spending the past two seasons at Eureka as the Associate Head Coach, where he played a major role in leading and coordinating the Red Devils' defense.

"Coach Jordan has been with us for the last two seasons as our Associate Head Coach and certainly understands what we need to happen within the program to continue its upward trajectory," Shaw said. "We are looking forward to seeing where he will take the program, and we are excited he has stayed on with us in this new role."

Jordan succeeds Randy Starks, who departed the program in January to pursue a new coaching opportunity.

"We are thrilled for Coach Starks and happy for him as he begins the next chapter in his career," Shaw said. "We thank him for all of the time and effort he put into our program for the last two seasons, and we look forward to building on the foundation he has created; he is certainly deserving of this new opportunity."

Jordan brings a wealth of experience at the collegiate and professional levels. He was selected with the third overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, making him the third-highest drafted player in University of Oregon history. His professional career spanned eight seasons, during which he appeared in 63 games with four NFL organizations, including the Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers.

Before entering the NFL, Jordan starred at the University of Oregon from 2008-12. After redshirting during his first season, he transitioned from tight end to defensive end and quickly emerged as one of the top defensive players in the Pac-12 Conference. He earned First Team Pac-12 All-Conference honors in both 2011 and 2012 and was named to multiple national award watch lists during his senior season, including the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Ted Hendricks Award.

Jordan finished his collegiate career with 121 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. In 2010, he helped lead the Ducks to the BCS National Championship Game against Auburn, where he recorded four solo tackles, including a tackle for loss.

For Jordan, the opportunity is about more than football.

"I am happy to have the chance to impact the lives of these young men," Jordan said as he prepares to step into his new role as head coach.

A native of Chandler, Arizona, Jordan attended Chandler High School before beginning his collegiate career at Oregon.