John DeFilippo was named head coach of the Memphis Showboats prior to the 2024 season, after serving as head coach of the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers in 2023.

DeFilippo led the Breakers to a 7-3 record and a berth in the USFL South Division Championship game in 2023, putting together an offense that led the league in passing yards and a defense that ranked first in scoring defense.

DeFilippo has extensive NFL coaching experience, working for eight different NFL teams over 15 seasons. He has served as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars. 

In 2017, he was the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl-winning season where he guided Carson Wentz to a single-season franchise record 33 touchdowns. After Wentz was lost to an injury, DeFilippo mentored Nick Foles, who threw for 971 yards and six touchdowns in three postseason games and earned Super Bowl MVP honors. During his time in Jacksonville, DeFilippo’s offense boasted a 1000-yard receiver and rusher for the first time since 2004, while Gardner Minshew earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors seven times in 12 starts. Under DeFilippo’s tutelage, Kirk Cousins became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 4000 yards, throw for 30-plus touchdowns with less than 10 interceptions and complete 70 percent of his passes.  

DeFilippo also boasts college coaching experience, most recently serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at San Jose State in 2010 and 2011. He began his coaching career in 2000 as the quarterbacks coach at Fordham. After spending two seasons as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame, he was the quarterbacks coach at Columbia in 2003 and 2004, before earning his first NFL position as a quality control coach with the New York Giants.

DeFilippo battled through medical issues prior to and during his first season as a head coach in 2023. He was diagnosed with a rare medical condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis, which caused severe foot and back pain. He was told he may never walk unassisted again. However, through the eventual diagnosis of his condition and treatment, DeFilippo now has the condition under control.

DeFilippo played quarterback at James Madison, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communications with a concentration in public relations. During his time at JMU, he was already preparing for a career in football, serving as a summer intern with the Carolina Panthers (1997) and the Indianapolis Colts (1998).

• Memphis Showboats
• Head Coach, 2024-present
• New Orleans Breakers
• Head Coach, 2023
• Chicago Bears
• Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, 2021

• Quarterbacks Coach, 2020
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Offensive Coordinator, 2019

• Minnesota Vikings
• Offensive Coordinator, 2018

• Philadelphia Eagles
• Quarterbacks Coach, 2016-17

• Cleveland Browns
• Offensive Coordinator, 2015

• Oakland Raiders
• Quarterbacks Coach, 2012-14

• San Jose State University
• Quarterbacks Coach, 2012-14, 2010
• Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, 2011

• New York Jets
• Assistant Quarterbacks Coach, 2009

• Oakland Raiders
• Quarterbacks Coach, 2007-08

• New York Giants
• Offensive Quality Control Coach, 2005-06

• Columbia University
• Quarterbacks Coach, 2003-04

• University of Notre Dame
• Graduate Assistant Coach, 2001-02

• Fordham University
• Quarterbacks Coach, 2000