Maurice Fleming was hired on the EIU football staff

Eastern Illinois head football coach Chris Wilkerson has completed his coaching staff for the 2023 season with the addition of Maurice Fleming as the Panthers’ new cornerbacks coach.

Fleming, who has NFL roster experience as a defensive back, comes to Eastern Illinois after spending last season as a defensive graduate assistant on Houston’s staff. The Cougars posted an 8-5 record in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl out of Louisiana.

Fleming, a Chicago native who prepped at Curie Metropolitan HS, began his collegiate playing career at Iowa before graduating at West Virginia. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May 2017 and spent part of that season on injured reserve and the practice squad. He ended his NFL career in December 2018.

He played professionally in 2019 in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Redblacks and later in the Indoor Football League with the Louisville Xtreme.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa in 2016, playing three years for the Hawkeyes with Bowl Game appearances in 2013 (Outback), 2014 (TaxSlayer) and 2015. In his final year, Iowa posted a 12-2 record, 8-0 in the Big. Ten when they played in the Rose Bowl. He played his final season at West Virginia in 2016 under current Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen. The Mountaineers went 10-3 that season with a 7-2 Big 12 record and an appearance in the Russell Athletic Bowl Game.

“We are excited to welcome Maurice Fleming to the Eastern Illinois football staff. Coach Fleming played for Iowa, West Virginia and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the coaching ranks at the University of Houston. He has done a great job managing the defensive backs. In Houston, he has been around some great football minds. He has competed at the highest level in football and will be an excellent leader in our cornerbacks room. I am excited to see our corners develop under his guidance. Welcome Maurice Fleming to the EIU family.”

EIU is currently in the midst of its spring practices with the spring game set for April 22 at 11 a.m. at O’Brien Field.

EIU is scheduled to open the 2023 season Aug. 31 at Indiana State before the Sept. 9 game at Bowling Green. EIU’s home opener will be against Illinois State in the Mid-America Classic on September 16. This is the first of five home games this fall for EIU. Other home dates include McNeese on Sept. 23, UT Martin on Oct. 7 for Homecoming, Bryant on Oct. 21 and Tennessee State on Nov. 11. The renewal of season tickets will start later this spring.