Corey Fillipovich Resigns as Quakers Head Football Coach After Seven Years With the Program

Photo by John Swartzel

Posted: Jan 03, 2024

(WILMINGTON, Ohio) – The Wilmington College athletics department announced this afternoon the resignation of Quakers head football coach Corey Fillipovich, effective immediately.

Fillipovich is making a personal and family decision to leave the Quakers program, citing a desire to spend more time with his wife and children. "I want to thank senior director of athletics Bill Wilson, interim president Corey Cockerill, and former president Trevor Bates for the opportunity to lead the Quakers program for the past two and a half seasons" said Fillipovich. "The opportunity to lead these young men every day and see their progress both on and off the field has been an absolute privilege and I wish nothing but the best for the future of the program."

Senior Director of Athletics Bill Wilson has announced that the Quakers current offensive coordinator Hayden Thomas will serve as the Interim Head Coach.

Thomas was the Ohio Athletic Conference's (OAC) Assistant Coach of the Year this season. He helped the Quakers to the second most passing touchdowns in the conference with 36. The team ranked third in the OAC in total offense (4,076 yards), yards per game (407.6), passing yards per game (251.8), and passing yards (2,518). The team was fourth in the conference in points (318), and points per game (31.8).

Fillipovich spent seven total seasons with the Quakers, including 24 games as Wilmington's head coach after being assigned to the position in October of 2021, and completing the remaining four games of the 2021 season. He finished his time as head coach with an 8-16 overall record.

Fillipovich coached six Quakers to All OAC honors during the 2023 season with wide receiver Lathan Jones becoming the first player since 2019 to be named First Team All-Conference. Quarterback Derek Larimer, running back Nehemiah Jenkins and wide receiver Saa'lih Muhammed were all named Second Team All-Conference. Left tackle Steven Salyer and H-back Kaleb Easley were both named Honorable Mention All-Conference players. Lathan Jones would later be named Second Team All-Region 4, becoming the first Quaker since 2015 to earn an All-Region nod. The Quakers had five players named All-Conference in both 2021 and 2022.

A nationwide search for Wilmington's next head football coach will begin immediately.