QUINCY, Ill. – Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Marty Bell announced Tuesday, November 21, 2017, the official promotion of interim head coach Gary Bass as the next head coach of the Quincy University football team.
Bass served as the interim head coach during the 2017 football season. The Hawks played some of the top teams in Division II, including two top ten teams in Midwestern State University and the University of Indianapolis during the 2017 season.
Coach Gary Bass on his promotion to head coach "I'm extremely humbled and grateful for this opportunity to be the head football coach at Quincy University. I've spent the last six seasons as a part of the QU football program and feel strongly that this program is headed in the right direction. With our culture of faith, family, and football being the cornerstone of this program I feel this is a tremendous opportunity for me as well as my staff. I'd like to thank our President Phil Conover and our Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Marty Bell for the opportunity to be this university's next head football coach. My family and I are extremely excited to continue to be a part of the Quincy football program as well as the QU family. Go Hawks."
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Marty Bell on Bass' promotion to head coach "I am extremely confident in Coach Bass and his ability to lead our football program. The foundation he has established through his core values will move this program in the right direction. He is a man of principle and integrity and his philosophy is an ideal match for the mission of Quincy University. We look forward to support Coach Bass, his staff, and student-athletes on their journey."
2017 was Bass' the sixth season overall with the Hawks. He served as the offensive line coach in his first three seasons before being named the offensive coordinator in July 2015. In January 2017, he was named the assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator before his promotion to interim head coach was announced May 7, 2017.
With Bass as offensive coordinator the last two seasons, the Hawks have reached all-time highs. In 2016, the Hawks' offense finished in the top three of 10 statistical categories in the GLVC, including scoring, total offense, rushing offense, passing offense, pass efficiency, sacks against, first downs, third-down conversion rate, time of possession and red zone touchdowns. In the last two years, the Hawks have amassed 13 All-GLVC performers, four Don Hansen all-region performers, and one Don Hanson All-American. The Hawks have also set 16 school offensive records in the past two seasons.
In 2014, with Bass serving as the offense's run game coordinator, Chris Harris was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year after gaining 972 yards on the ground with 17 touchdowns. All that came with three freshmen seeing significant time in the trenches. In a win over Southwest Baptist, Harris ran for a school and conference-record seven touchdowns and 218 yards. Center Eli Thom and left tackle Kyle Lomprez were each named All-GLVC performers.
Bass came to Quincy University from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo. where he spent two seasons. While there he coached the offensive line and assisted with the strength and conditioning program. As the offensive line coach, he had three All-MIAA selections and an All-America selection. He helped guide an offense that broke three MSSU offensive school records including points in a single game (68) and offensive yards in a single game (672).
Prior to MSSU, he worked at East Rowan High School in Salisbury, N.C. for three years where he served as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator.
He attended Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., majoring in marketing. He started on the offensive line for three seasons. With Bass on the line, Catawba won the South Region championship, three SAC championships, made three trips to the Division II playoffs and compiled a 47-15 record.
A native of Marion, N.C., Bass attended McDowell High School. He is married to Melaney Bass from Geddes, S.D. The couple has a daughter, Lyla, and reside in Quincy.
