The Quincy University football team saw some big changes since the end of their successful 2023 season. A new head coach was hired, which led to the changing of the entire offensive staff.

QU hired Jason Killday to replace former head coach Gary Bass. Killday came from the Truman State Bulldogs, which have been very successful in the past under his coaching putting up an impressive 59 wins.

Killday was officially introduced as the head coach on December 20 of 2023 during Christmas break, which made the meeting of the players and coaches a little disjointed. Killday said himself that once he got the job it was a lot of running around and getting things situated. He also said after the exhaustion it was all excitement for the changes he has planned for QU Football

Killday has a vision and goals set for what he wants to turn the program into and has already made small changes to make it happen. He made it known that while winning is important there are other aspects he wants to instill.

“Obviously you want to win but more importantly competing at a high level because it is a big thing wanting to compete, wanting to show up and compete daily and be the best version we can be,” Killday, head coach, said.

The changes he is making so far have already been noticed by players and coaches alike, in the limited window he has since the team is only lifting right now for their off-season.

“He is doing a great job in setting standards for the program that weren’t necessarily set before, such as our first meeting bringing everyone to the front and having all hats off, these are expected but he is enforcing it as a standard for the program. I also think he has done a good job in being with players as much as he can like in the weight room,” Aaron Lawrence, defensive line coach, said.

Killday will look to build on the success that the football team has found recently. In the 2023 season the team had a record of 6-5, which is the best record for the Hawks since 2014. While winning at a high level is not easy Killday has some experience with Truman where he helped the team go 59-24 in eight seasons.

The players are excited as well, to have a coach with the background that Killday has, as well as the momentum from past years.

“I am most looking forward to the possibility of a championship and just a new era into the program under Killday, I think it is going to be an exciting off season as well as the actual season,” Reggie Thomas said.

The Hawks will be a team to keep an eye on for their 2024 season, but first will come spring ball. Dates have not yet been set for spring games.