Millikin University Men's Football

Joan C. Catanese, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, brings more than 23 years of experience in education and athletics to her role at Millikin University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in English from Louisiana Tech University in 2001 and began her career in education and coaching in her hometown of Shreveport, where she quickly established herself as a respected teacher, mentor, and multi-sport coach. In addition to her work in education, Catanese has an extensive background in football, having competed professionally in the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) for three franchises. During her playing career, she served as a starting center and contributor on all special teams units, experiences that helped shape her coaching philosophy and passion for developing athletes both on and off the field. At Huntington High School, Catanese led one of the state’s most successful track and field programs, culminating in the 4A Louisiana State Championship in 2023. Her leadership earned her recognition as State Coach of the Year for the 2021–2022 season and Louisiana State Track Coach of the Year for 2022–2023. Throughout her career in education, she has also been named Teacher of the Year three times and recognized as a Parish Finalist for her impact in the classroom and community. Catanese’s football coaching experience spans multiple levels of the game, from middle school through the professional ranks. She played a key role in the resurgence of the Huntington High School football program, contributing to the team’s first playoff victory in 15 years and serving in numerous leadership roles including Freshman Head Coach, Varsity Offensive Line Coach, Running Backs/Fullbacks Coach, Tight Ends Coach, Assistant Wide Receivers Coach, Specialists Coach, and Assistant Head Coach. Her work in football earned her selection to the NFL Women’s Forum in 2022 and recognition as a Bill Walsh Diversity Fellow. Through this opportunity, she served on the Special Teams coaching staff during the Atlanta Falcons’ NFL Training Camp, gaining valuable professional experience at the highest level of the sport. Catanese later joined the coaching staff at Millikin University, where she served as Tight Ends Coach and Specialists Coach for two seasons and as Special Teams Co-Coordinator for one season. She now serves as the inaugural Head Coach of Millikin University Women’s Flag Football, where she is leading the development and launch of the university’s new NCAA program while continuing to advocate for the growth of women in football and sport leadership.  

Millikin University Athletics is excited to announce the hiring of Decatur native Billy Riebock as the new Big Blue Head Football Coach.   Riebock comes home to Decatur with 18 years of collegiate coaching experience at all levels of NCAA football. Most recently, Riebock was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at NCAA Division II Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Highlights of his two seasons with the Mustangs include having the second and third leader rushers in the Lone Star Conference and three All-Conference performers in 2023 and producing the fifth most passing yards in a game in school history (395 yards) in 2024.   "I am thrilled to welcome Coach Riebock to Millikin University. His proven track record of success and commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes aligns perfectly with our values and vision for the program," Millikin President Dr. Jim Reynolds said. "Coach Riebock also brings unparalleled energy and dedication to the role. We believe his leadership will inspire our players and the campus community, taking Millikin's football program to the next level."   “It is an honor and privilege to be the head football coach at Millikin University, the premier university in the CCIW,” said Riebock. “I want to thank God because without Him none of this is possible. I want to thank President Reynolds and the Millikin University administration for all of their trust and support. I want to thank my family, especially my wife Emina because without you none of this is possible.”   Prior to Midwestern, Riebock spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas A&M–Commerce where the Lions averaged 30.19 points per game during his time on David Bailiff’s staff. Under Riebock’s guidance, the Lions were first in the Lone Star Conference and eighth nationally in completion percentage, and they were third among conference schools in total offense in 2019. Riebock experienced success in helping Texas A&M-Commerce transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I FCS. During Riebock’s tenure, the Lions made it to the third round of the NCAA Division II playoffs and had an 11-3 record in 2019. Riebock was named to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s “40 under 40” in 2021.   In 2018, Riebock was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division III program Bridgewater College where the Eagles finished second in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. With Riebock at the helm of the offense, Bridgewater finished fifth nationally in Red Zone offense.   “To the greater Decatur area and Big Blue alumni, I look forward to building and restoring your relationship with our program,” states Riebock. “We NEED your support and help! Last but not least, buy your tickets now…WE WILL WIN.”   A Decatur St. Teresa graduate, Riebock played collegiately at Quincy University as quarterback before embarking on his successful coaching career. In his senior season at Quincy, he earned Academic All-Conference honors as a senior. Riebock is no stranger to Millikin after attending Big Blue games as a child and watching his sister Andrea Riebock Dorsey play in the Millikin women’s basketball program, a member of the 2005 Big Blue NCAA Championship team. Dorsey was an assistant coach for the Millikin women’s program from 2014-18 and is currently the head girls’ basketball coach at St. Teresa. During Riebock’s playing days at St. Teresa, he was coached by Millikin graduate Scott Davis.   Riebock started his coaching career at St. Francis (Ill.) in 2006 and spent the 2007 season as the Offensive Quality Control Coach at Indiana University. He returned to Quincy and was the offensive coordinator from 2008-10, and the Hawks set school records for passing yards and completions in 2008 and 2010. In 2010, Quincy set the school record for passing touchdowns in a season. After his time at Quincy, Riebock worked as an offensive graduate assistant for two seasons at Ball State, and the Cardinals reached the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl in 2012 and the GoDaddy Bowl in 2013. Riebock served as the wide receivers coach at Elon from 2014-2016 and as an Offensive Quality Control Coach at Rice in 2017.   Riebock and his wife Emina have three children —Emilia, James, and Liam.  

The 2025 season will mark Patrick Allgeier's 29th season on the Millikin football staff. In 2025, Allgeier will coach the defensive line.  In addition to his football duties, Allgeier also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Events and Facilities. A former All-North Coast Athletic Conference offensive tackle, the Cincinnati native earned three letters for Wittenberg before graduating in 1993. He served as assistant offensive line coach at Wittenberg for two seasons. Allgeier and his wife, Peg, live in Decatur with their three daughters Amanda, Becca, and Allie.  

Millikin Head Football Coach Billy Riebock Names New Offensive Coordinator   “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Millikin University administration for providing the resources and support to bring Gun Twyner on as our Offensive Coordinator and Matt Williamson as our Defensive Coordinator,” said Riebock. “Their success in the National Football League and CCIW, leadership, and vision are exactly what we need to take our program to the next level, and we are incredibly excited about the future of Big Blue football with them leading the way. Go Big Blue!”   Twyner joins Riebock in making the return home to Illinois after spending the last two seasons as the wide receivers coach with Riebock at Midwestern University in Texas.   Twyner is a native of the Quad Cities. He is a graduate and former assistant coach at Western Illinois University and spent the 2022 season as the tight ends coach at Eastern Illinois University. During his playing time at Western Illinios, Twyner was an All-American Honorable Mention selection in 1994 and ranks in the top 10 in four receiving categories in Western Illinois football history.   Twyner played wide receiver in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars from 1996-2000. He played two years in the Arena Football League setting the record for touchdown receptions by a rookie (15) in 2001 with the Tampa Bay Storm.   Twyner started his coaching career at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Springs, Maryland earning the Maryland Coach of the Year honor in 2006 after leading his team to a 10-2 record and the second round of the 3A playoffs.   Twyner participated in the NFL’s Minority Coaching Internship in 2009. He coached at Western Illinois from 2010-13 coaching the wide receivers and helping the offensive staff create the weekly game plan. Western went to the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2010. Twyner made coaching stops at Dodge City Community College (2013-15) and Lafayette College (2017-18).   While at Dodge City, the Conquistadors were 19-11 after compiling a 6-54 record in the six seasons proceeding his arrival. During his three-year run, Twyner coached and recruited nine wide receivers that tallied a total of 15 Division I offers.   Twyner worked as an offensive quality control coach, working with wide receivers for the Indianapolis Colts before becoming the tight ends coach on Chris Wilkerson’s staff at Eastern Illinois in 2022.   Twyner is the proud father of two daughters -- Kelise and Maleah.    

Jermaine Burket joined the Millikin staff in January 2025 coaching the Big Blue defensive backs.   Burket spent the last two seasons working under new Millikin Defensive Coordinator Matt Williamson working on the staff at Illinois Wesleyan University. In addition to coaching the defensive backs, Burket worked with the Titans kick and punt returners. On defense, he led a backfield that included a the third leading tackler in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in 2024 and a cornerback that was All-Conference in 2023-24. He also coached All-American kick-returner Jahari Scott.   Prior to Illinois Wesleyan, Burket spent four years (2019-2023) on the staff at Otterbein University.   Burket played collegiately at Heidelberg University earning a degree in Business Administration and Sports Management. He earned a Master of Business Administration at Otterbein.  

Millikin University assistant football coach Braylon Willis enters his second season with the Big Blue in 2026 after joining head coach Billy Riebock’s staff in February of 2025 as the running backs coach. In his first season with the program, Willis helped guide a productive running back unit that rushed for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns, including two individual 100-yard rushing performances. His group featured five different running backs carrying the ball during the 2025 campaign, highlighting the depth and versatility of the position room. Willis also coached standout freshman Re’John Zeno, who accounted for all of Millikin’s points in the Big Blue’s first two contests of the season before earning a Division I FCS scholarship opportunity at McNeese State University for the 2026 season. Willis was part of a coaching staff that helped engineer a program turnaround, improving from winless seasons in 2023 and 2024 to three victories in 2025. Prior to arriving at Millikin, Willis began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State University in 2024, where he worked with the tight ends. A native of Lafayette, La., Willis attended Lafayette High School. He played collegiate football at Eastern Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2024. He completed his master’s degree from Midwestern State in 2026.

Peng Lor joined the Millikin University football staff as linebackers coach in August 2025, bringing more than a decade of coaching experience across the high school, junior college, and NCAA levels. Lor has built a reputation as a strong developer of defensive talent and a detailed, high-energy recruiter. At Millikin, he works closely with the defensive staff on run game planning while overseeing recruiting efforts across the Midwest and West Coast, including Illinois, California, and junior college pipelines. Prior to Millikin, Lor served as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Reedley College, where he helped lead a unit that ranked among the top run defenses and produced multiple all-conference players. His coaching experience also includes stops at Clovis North High School as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Justin Garza High School, and California State University, Sacramento, where he worked in defensive quality control and player development roles. Throughout his career, Lor has coached and developed numerous all-conference performers and contributed to championship-caliber programs, including a state title at the high school level. He has also been part of staffs that mentored players who advanced to professional opportunities, including NFL talent. A native of Fresno, California, Lor earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Sacramento.

German Romero-Rosales joined the Millikin University football staff in June 2025, bringing a strong background in offensive line development, recruiting, and student-athlete mentorship at both the collegiate and high school levels. Romero-Rosales has built his coaching career on developing physical, disciplined offensive units and contributing to successful rushing attacks and pass protection schemes. Prior to arriving at Millikin, he held coaching roles at Midwestern State University, Adams State University, and Western New Mexico University, working with offensive line and running back groups while also assisting with scouting, film breakdown, and recruiting operations across multiple regions. During his time at previous stops, Romero-Rosales helped guide offensive units that ranked among conference leaders in sacks allowed and rushing production, while coaching multiple All-Conference performers. His experience includes coordinating individual drills, leading position meetings, and contributing to game-day operations and special teams units. A former offensive lineman at San Diego Mesa College and Western New Mexico, Romero-Rosales earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Mathematics. He is currently pursuing both an MBA in Leadership and a Master’s degree in Sport Administration. A first-generation Honduran-American and bilingual in English and Spanish, Romero-Rosales is passionate about creating opportunities for student-athletes and using football as a vehicle for personal growth and education. He and his wife, Eve, reside in Decatur with their son, Apollo.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Coach Johnson began his collegiate football career at Joliet Junior College and Lincoln University (D2 HBCU) before transferring to Millikin University in 2009. While earning his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Sport at Millikin, he launched his coaching career as a member of the university’s football staff. Coach Johnson later served on the coaching staff at Southeast High School in Springfield, Illinois, before joining Eisenhower High School in Decatur, Illinois, in 2012. During his tenure at Eisenhower, he held multiple assistant coaching roles before being named Head Football Coach in 2021. He concluded his tenure as head coach following the 2025 football season.