(LEBANON, Ill., June 12)—Former McKendree University football standout Jason Rejfek recently returned to his alma mater to join the Bearcats' coaching staff for the 2018 season. Rejfek, who was a four-year letterwinner at linebacker, will coach the McKendree wide receivers on head coach Mike Babcock's staff.
 
"It's nice to be back at my alma mater," said Rejfek. "I was able to gain some valuable coaching experience at a few different places, and I am looking to apply that knowledge here at McKendree. Coach Babcock has done a great job in building this program after I left as a player, and it's exciting to come back and be a part of this growth and help keep this program on the track that he has taken it on for years to come."
 
Rejfek comes back to McKendree after spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Lindenwood University-Belleville. During his time as a member of the Lynx staff, Rejfek coached defensive backs, defensive line and wide receivers. Rejfek was also the program's recruiting coordinator during his final two years with the program.
 
In his first season at Lindenwood-Belleville in 2015, Rejfek guided his defensive backs to a school record for interceptions. One season later, he led the Lynx defensive line to a program mark in quarterback sacks.
 
Rejfek was also part of the Lindenwood-Belleville transition into membership in the Mid-States Football Association in 2015. McKendree played in the MSFA from 1998-2010 during the program's NAIA days.  
 
"We're excited to bring Jason back into the McKendree football family," said Babcock. "It's always great to have a former player return as a coach. Jason is a guy who had success as a player at McKendree which has helped him get a solid start to his coaching career. He adds a lot of energy and excitement to our program, and we're looking forward to the intangibles he brings to our staff."
 
Rejfek began in coaching career as a defensive assistant at Point University in 2012. He was the defensive coordinator for the Skyhawks' first three seasons of existence, developing practice and game plans while calling each play. Rejfek coached linebackers in his first and third seasons at Point while tutoring the Skyhawks' defensive backs in 2013. He was also the team's video coordinator during his tenure.
 
On the gridiron, Rejfek started every game at outside linebacker in each of his final three seasons at McKendree. As a junior in 2010, he established a career-high with 95 tackles on his way to first-team All-MSFA Midwest League honors. The 95 stops by Rejfek is tied for seventh on the Bearcats' single-season list. Rejfek finished his McKendree playing days with 216 tackles, which is good for ninth on the program's career chart. He is also tied for third on the Bearcats' all-time list with five fumble recoveries, three of which came as a sophomore in 2009.
 
Rejfek helped lead McKendree to a pair of MSFA Midwest League championships and to its final two NAIA playoff appearances in 2009 and 2010. The Bearcats' 2010 squad reached the national quarterfinals for just the second time in program history.
 
The McKendree University football team posted an overall record of 7-4 along with a 5-2 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats are set to open their 2018 season at home against Northern Michigan University, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. at Leemon Field.