Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Finalizes Defensive Backs Staff
2/19/2026 4:52:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern has finalized three hires on its defensive backs staff, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun announced on Thursday.
LaMarcus Hicks has been named Defensive Backs Coach, Drew Gray has been named Safeties Coach and Jeff Copp will serve as Senior Defensive Assistant/Nickels Coach.
Hicks, a former NFL defensive back with the Detroit Lions, has spent the past three seasons as the Wildcats' cornerbacks coach. He has helped develop cornerback Josh Fussell into an All-Big Ten selection in 2025 and has worked with three all-conference cornerbacks during his time at NU.
In 2024, Hicks contributed to a Northwestern defense that yielded just 15 passing touchdowns and picked off 10 passes. During his first season in Evanston, the Wildcats went 8-5 and won the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl against Utah.
Gray served as the Northwestern nickels coach in 2024 and 2025. He mentored Braden Turner, who posted 56 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a defensive touchdown in an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention campaign this past season.
Prior to his time with the Wildcats, Gray served as the cornerbacks coach at Samford for two seasons. In 2022, he helped the Bulldogs qualify for their first FCS Playoffs quarterfinal since 1991.
Copp arrived in Evanston as a senior analyst in August 2024. He previously served as the defensive coordinator for Eastern Washington, where he first coached defensive tackles.
An Idaho Falls, ID., native, Copp was an All-Big West defensive end for Boise State. His past coaching stops include Idaho State, Arizona State, Utah State, UC Davis, Northern Arizona and FIU.
LaMarcus Hicks has been named Defensive Backs Coach, Drew Gray has been named Safeties Coach and Jeff Copp will serve as Senior Defensive Assistant/Nickels Coach.
Hicks, a former NFL defensive back with the Detroit Lions, has spent the past three seasons as the Wildcats' cornerbacks coach. He has helped develop cornerback Josh Fussell into an All-Big Ten selection in 2025 and has worked with three all-conference cornerbacks during his time at NU.
In 2024, Hicks contributed to a Northwestern defense that yielded just 15 passing touchdowns and picked off 10 passes. During his first season in Evanston, the Wildcats went 8-5 and won the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl against Utah.
Gray served as the Northwestern nickels coach in 2024 and 2025. He mentored Braden Turner, who posted 56 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a defensive touchdown in an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention campaign this past season.
Prior to his time with the Wildcats, Gray served as the cornerbacks coach at Samford for two seasons. In 2022, he helped the Bulldogs qualify for their first FCS Playoffs quarterfinal since 1991.
Copp arrived in Evanston as a senior analyst in August 2024. He previously served as the defensive coordinator for Eastern Washington, where he first coached defensive tackles.
An Idaho Falls, ID., native, Copp was an All-Big West defensive end for Boise State. His past coaching stops include Idaho State, Arizona State, Utah State, UC Davis, Northern Arizona and FIU.
Players Mentioned
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