Christian Dukes is in his second season as an assistant coach for Tiffin University. He serves as the Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach.

Prior to being elevated to Co-Defensive Coordinator, Dukes served as Special Teams Coordinator. Dukes was promoted to that position in July 2021, after serving as the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator in 2020. In his first year as the Special Teams Coordinator the Dragons improved on multiple units. In 2021 (Spring) Tiffin’s Special Teams units ranked 4^th in the GMAC while finishing with one All-Conference selection. In 2021 (Fall) under Dukes’ direction, Tiffin’s Special Teams units ranked 1^st in the GMAC. TU also ranked nationally in Net Punt, finishing at 8^th in the country & ranked 17^th in the Punt Return game. Dukes also mentored three All-Conference selections - 1^st Team Returner (Anthony Lowe), 2^nd Team Kicker (David Orlando), 3^rd Team Punter (David Orlando).

The 2021 season was one of the best in TU’s history as the team posted an 8-3 record while holding its highest mid-season ranking in school history at No.12 in the country. During the 2021-2022 season Dukes’ continued to elevate the level of play of the Defensive Backs. Tiffin’s pass defense ranked amongst the best in the conference in multiple categories, ranking 1^st in the GMAC in Pass Defensive Efficiency (112.8), and ranking 1^st in the GMAC in Fewest Passing Touchdowns allowed (16). Tiffin also ranked 2^nd in the GMAC, only giving up 200 ypg in the air. Lastly, Tiffin finished 3^rd in the GMAC in passes intercepted (12). During the 2021 season Dukes instructed Kevin Hyde and Jermaine Wimpye who both led the conference in multiple categories. Kevin Hyde led the conference in interceptions (6) and finished as a 1^st Team All-Conference selection while Jermaine Wimpye led the conference in forced fumbles (3) and fumbles recovered (2).

Dukes returned to Tiffin in January of 2020. In his first season back at Tiffin University Dukes served as the Defensive Pass Coordinator – Defensive Backs coach. Dukes mentored three defensive backs who earned All-GMAC recognition (1^st Team-1, 2^nd Team-2). During the 2020 campaign, Dukes helped lead the Dragons to a 6-0 mark in GMAC play to claim the conference title while finishing the season ranked 3^rd in DII. The GMAC crown is just the fourth conference championship in program history, and second as a member of Division II. Under Dukes’ guidance, Tiffin’s pass defense saw improvements from the 2019 season. In 2019, Tiffin’s pass defense ranked 6^th (243.4ypg) in the GMAC, while also finishing 3^rd in the GMAC in passing touchdowns allowed, and 3^rd in the GMAC in yards per catch. In 2020 under Dukes Tiffin’s pass defense ranked 1^st in the GMAC (109 ypg). Tiffin also ranked 1^st in the GMAC in Pass Defensive Efficiency (89.8), 1^st in the GMAC in Yards Per Catch, 1^st in the GMAC in Passing Touchdowns allowed and finished 2^nd in passes intercepted. 

Nationally, Tiffin's passing defense was among the best in the country in multiple categories, receiving its highest ranking at 2^nd in DII in passing yards allowed (107 ypg), 5^th in DII team passing defense efficiency (90.39 ypg), and 8^th in passes intercepted (6 total).

Dukes returns to Tiffin after one season at North Park University. During Dukes’ tenure at NPU he served as the Special Teams Coordinator - Defensive Backs coach - spring 2019. Shortly after Dukes was promoted to Defensive Coordinator - Defensive Backs coach – fall 2019. While coordinating the defense, the Vikings improved from the 2018 season. During the 2019 season under Dukes, the Viking defense finished Top 5 in the conference in interceptions after finishing next to last the previous season. While coaching at North Park, Dukes mentored 1 All-Conference selection and coached 2 FreeAgentFootball.com (FAF) D3 Senior Classic participants (Division III All-Star Game) in which one of the participants won Defensive MVP.

Prior to North Park, Dukes began his collegiate coaching journey at Tiffin University where he worked with the Defensive Backs as a Graduate Assistant. During his time at Tiffin, he helped the Dragons to the second most successful season since 2006, as the team was ranked as high as 15th in Division II. Dukes also mentored four All-Conference defensive backs that year and, additionally, a Don Hansen All-American.

Prior to Tiffin, Dukes worked with defensive backs at both Walnut Hills HS in Cincinnati, Ohio and Anderson HS, also in Cincinnati.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dukes graduated from the University of Toledo in 2015 with a degree in Sports Management with a Minor in Counseling. Dukes chose Toledo over Akron, Boston College, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Colorado, Louisville, Marshall, Ohio University, and Pittsburgh following a standout prep career at Colerain High School where he was a three-year letter winner at defensive back, helping them reach top 25 national rankings each of his seasons while also posting a 58 game home winning streak. Dukes finished 30-5 at Colerain. As a prep, he was rated a 3 star prospect. Dukes was ranked the 43rd best overall player in Ohio out of 151 prospects by 247sports. Also, Dukes was ranked nationally as the 54th best corner out of 196 prospects. Dukes was additionally selected to participate in the Big 33 (Ohio vs Pennsylvania) All Star game and the North vs South (Ohio) All Star game following his prep career. 247sports/Rivals deemed Dukes the 33rd best Toledo All Time Football Recruit dating back to 2000, a list consisting of 247 players. While at Toledo, Dukes was a four-year starter as a defensive back, receiving All-Conference honorable mention honors in 2014. During the 2014 season, Dukes led the secondary with 62 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks and 10 pass breakups. Dukes also earned “Player of the Week” recognition and was a Leadership Committee selection by his teammates and coaches. 

While at Toledo Dukes helped the team achieve notable wins over Wyoming, Coastal Carolina, Cincinnati - 2012, Navy, Eastern Washington – 2013 (Toledo ranked #23 in AP poll), Arkansas State, New Hampshire - 2014, No. 12 Arkansas, No. 21 Temple, Iowa State, Arkansas State – 2015 (Toledo ranked #22 in AP poll & #25 in USA Today poll).

Coaching Experience
2021: Tiffin University – Special Teams Coordinator / Def Pass Game Coordinator – Defensive Backs
2020-21: Tiffin University - Def Pass Game Coordinator / Defensive Backs
2019-20 (Fall): North Park University -  Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs
2019-20 (Spring): North Park University -  Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Backs

2018-19 Tiffin University – Graduate Assistant / Defensive Backs / Special Teams Asst
2017-18 Anderson High School: Defensive Backs

2016-17 Walnut Hills High School: Defensive Backs

Bowl Games as a Player

Toledo, 2015 Boca Raton Bowl

Toledo, 2015 GoDaddy Bowl (’14 season)

Toledo, 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Toledo, 2011 Military Bowl

Conference Championships

Toledo- 2014-2015 (MAC West)

Toledo- 2011 (MAC West)