Christian Dukes is in his third season with the Youngstown State coaching staff. Dukes coaches the cornerbacks for the Penguins and Head Coach Doug Phillips. He also severs as YSU's recruiting coordinator.
The Guins won eight games in 2023 and advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.
Veteran cornerback Troy Jakubec had the best season of his YSU career and earned second-team All-MVFC honors in 2023. Jakubec led the team with four interceptions which were the most for a Penguin since 2016. He also added seven pass breakups and 34 tackles. The emergence of Jaylen Castleberry was a big help to the unit. Castleberry started the final seven games and finished with 27 tackles.
YSU's defense was one of the best in the country on third downs limiting teams to just 42 conversions in 142 attempts (29 percent). On seven occasions, the Guins held opponents to three-or-less third-down conversions and held Indiana State to no conversions on 10 tries. The Guins held Southern Illinois and Duquesne to under 100 yards passing.
In his first season at YSU, the corners had an all-around strong season for the Penguins. Jordan Trowers tied for the team lead with 51 total tackles while Jakubec and Amarian Robinson split starting roles at the other spot. The trio combined to make 85 tackles on the season. Jakubec led the unit with a pair of interceptions and eight passes defended.
Prior to joining the YSU staff in March 2022, Dukes spent two seasons at Tiffin. Following his second year with the Dragons he was promoted to the role of co-Defensive Coordinator and cornerbacks coach. During his first two seasons with the program he coached the defensive backs and last year was the Special Teams Coordinator.
The 2021 season was one of the best in TU’s history as the team posted an 8-3 record while holding its highest mid-season ranking in school history at No. 12 in the country. During the season Dukes’ continued to elevate the level of play of the defensive backs. Tiffin’s pass defense ranked amongst the best in the conference in multiple categories, ranking first in the GMAC in Pass Defensive Efficiency (112.8), and first in the GMAC in Fewest Passing Touchdowns allowed (16). Tiffin also ranked second in the GMAC, only giving up 200 ypg in the air.Â
Dukes returned to Tiffin in January of 2020. In his first season back at Tiffin University Dukes served as the Defensive Pass Coordinator – Defensive Backs coach. Dukes mentored three defensive backs who earned All-GMAC recognition. The GMAC crown is just the fourth conference championship in program history, and second as a member of Division II.Â
Dukes returned to Tiffin after a season at North Park University. During Dukes’ tenure at NPU he served as the Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach. While coordinating the defense, the Vikings improved from the 2018 season. During the 2019 season under Dukes, the Viking defense finished Top five in the conference in interceptions after finishing next to last the previous season. While coaching at North Park, Dukes mentored an all-conference selection.
Prior to North Park, Dukes began his collegiate coaching journey at Tiffin University where he worked with the defensive backs as a Graduate Assistant. During his first stop at Tiffin, he helped the Dragons to the second most successful season since 2006, as the team was ranked as high as 15th in Division II. Dukes also mentored four all-conference defensive backs that year and, additionally, a Don Hansen All-American.
Prior to Tiffin, Dukes worked with defensive backs at both Walnut Hills and Anderson High Schools in Cincinnati.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dukes graduated from the University of Toledo in 2015 with a degree in Sports Management with a Minor in Counseling. While at Toledo, Dukes was a four-year starter as a defensive back, receiving honorable-mention all-conference honors in 2014. He had a standout prep career at Colerain High School.
