Kentwan Balmer enters his first season at Chicago State as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach, bringing more than 20 years of combined collegiate, professional playing and coaching experience. A former first round NFL Draft pick and All-American at the University of North Carolina, Balmer most recently served as Defensive Line Coach at Bucknell after helping lead one of the FCS's most improved defenses during four seasons at Hampton University, including three as Assistant Head Coach. His coaching résumé also includes stops at Alabama A&M, Samford, Virginia University of Lynchburg and Shaw University. Throughout his career, Balmer has coached multiple all-conference performers while helping teams win conference championships and earn victories over nationally ranked opponents. As a player, he spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins after being selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.