Devondre Bazemore enters his first season at Elizabeth City State University as the Defensive Backs Coach, bringing over a decade of coaching experience and a proven track record of developing elite secondaries at the high school level. Most recently, Bazemore served as the Defensive Backs Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, and Strength & Conditioning Coach at Nansemond River High School (VA). In 2024, his secondary produced 20 interceptions—the program’s highest total in over a decade—and allowed zero return touchdowns. His unit featured two All-Region defensive backs, and three players signed National Letters of Intent to continue their careers at the collegiate level. Prior to Nansemond River,
Bazemore was the Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Smithfield High School, where his defense consistently ranked among the area’s best in takeaways and points allowed. He played a critical role in rebuilding the program’s culture, leading offseason training, academic support systems, and game planning. In addition to his coaching success, Bazemore brings valuable experience as an Athletic Administrator. He served as Assistant Athletic Director at both Nansemond River and Smithfield, overseeing multi-sport operations, event management, and eligibility compliance for over 300 student-athletes across 15 varsity programs. Bazemore has also contributed nationally through his work with Mach 1 Academy 7v7, where he coached and mentored over 20 athletes who went on to compete at the Division I level, including at Clemson, TCU, Virginia Tech, and James Madison.
He holds a Master’s in Athletic Administration from Ohio University and a B.S. in Exercise Science from Norfolk State University. A member of the AFCA, Bazemore is known for his disciplined, detail-oriented coaching style and his ability to elevate defensive back play through technique, film study, and leadership development. Bazemore is a proud husband and father. He and his wife, Cesshay, have twin daughters, Autumn and Aumai.
