WESTERVILLE – Otterbein University has hired Dave Marquis (pronounced: MAR-kwiss) as its new head football coach.

"Coach Marquis is highly intelligent, organized and communicative and is poised to set a new standard for Otterbein football. He has developed a three-year plan for the program focused on holistic student-athlete development, trust and accountability, relentless pursuit of excellence and connecting to the community," said Otterbein Director of Athletics Dr. Greg Lott. "Dave is highly respected in the field. As his career has progressed, three times he has moved on to a new institution only to be hired back years later with a promotion, demonstrating just how much he has been valued at each stop. Dave is the right person to create a lasting foundation for success."

Marquis, 41, becomes the 36th head coach in the program's 134-year history and takes over following the one-year tenure of interim head coach Jake Schaefer.

"I'm truly humbled and honored to be named head football coach at Otterbein," Marquis said. "The values and mission at this university align perfectly with my own. I've been fortunate to learn from some great coaches throughout my career, and I look forward to bringing that experience to Otterbein and working to establish the same success I've been a part of at previous programs."

Marquis brings a wealth of previous coaching experience to Otterbein, having served seven years as collegiate defensive coordinator, including two at the NCAA Division I level and five in Division III. He has coached within high-caliber football programs that have experienced substantial success and knows how to create championship culture.

Marquis comes to Westerville from NCAA Division I Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he had served as defensive coordinator since 2023. His other Division I coaching stops have included the University of Dayton (2017-18, linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator; 2011-12, defensive line coach) and Kent State University (2008-10, defensive graduate assistant), and he has coached at the Division III level at Wittenberg University (2016 and 2019-22, defensive coordinator; 2015, linebackers coach/special teams coordinator) and Randolph-Macon College (2013-14, linebackers coach/special teams coordinator; 2006-2007 tight ends coach).

Throughout his career, Marquis has demonstrated a history of leading staunch defenses, as NCAA D-I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Kent State ranked 10th nationally in total defense in 2010, NCAA D-III Wittenberg ranked 19th in 2019, and NCAA D-I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Valparaiso ranked 20th in 2023, while NCAA D-I FCS Dayton ranked 24th nationally in scoring defense in 2017.

Valparaiso is coming off a 2024 season that saw five members of the defense earn All-Pioneer Football League recognition, including three Second Team honors. The Beacons accounted for three of the eight All-PFL First and Second Team defensive linemen in the 11-team league.

During the 2023 campaign, Marquis' defense ranked second in the PFL and 50th nationally in the FCS in points allowed per game (24.8), second in the PFL and 22nd nationally in yards allowed per game (318.5) and first in the PFL and 28th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (123.3).

The 2023 Beacons boasted the team's best total defense and scoring defense in a traditional fall season since 2000 and achieved its best rushing defense in a fall season since 2007. Linebacker Evan Annis was named the PFL Scholar-Athlete of the Year, becoming the first Valpo player to earn that award, and was one of five members of the defense to earn All-PFL honors.

During his time as the defensive coordinator at Wittenberg in Springfield, Ohio, Marquis helped lead the Tigers to two North Coast Athletic Conference championships (2016 and 2019), advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs in 2016. While Marquis was on staff at Randolph-Macon, the Yellow Jackets saw the biggest year-over-year improvement in the NCAA, going from 2-8 in 2006 to 8-2 in 2007.

Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Marquis graduated from Chartiers Valley High School in Bridgeville, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh. He went on to attend Kent State University, earning a bachelor's degree in education in 2006 and a master's degree in sport and recreation management in 2010.

Marquis is thrilled to come to Westerville.

"I'm most looking forward to getting to know the players, connecting with the Otterbein community and establishing a culture of success," he said. "Coaching is about relationships, and I'm eager to earn the trust of this team, push them to reach their full potential and create a program that everyone – players, alumni and fans – can be proud of."