TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Stillman College has hired Deon Washington as its first women's flag football head coach, Director of Athletics Terrnance Whittle announced.

"The addition of women's flag football is an exciting step forward for Stillman College Athletics, and Coach Washington will be instrumental in building the program's foundation. He brings the leadership, energy and commitment needed to create a culture that reflects the values of Sitllman College," Whittle said. "We are excited about the opportunities this program will provide our student-athletes and the impact it will have on the continued growth of women's flag football not only at Stillman but in the state of Alabama."

Women's flag football will become Stillman College's 12th active intercollegiate sport when the season begins Spring 2027 during the NAIA's inaugural championship season for the sport. The NAIA is expecting to have more than 60 teams competing in the spring. Stillman announced the addition in December 2025, becoming the first NAIA intercollegiate women's flag football program in the state of Alabama. 

"This is an exciting opportunity to begin the women's flag football program at Stillman College. As an alumnus, this makes the opportunity even more special," Washington said. 

Washington returns to his alma mater following three years as head football coach at Greensboro High School. Prior to his time at Greensboro, Washington served as an assistant coach on the inaugural Central High School girls' flag football teams in 2021-22. While at Central, Washington also served as assistant coach for football and baseball.  During his head coaching career at Greensboro, he collected his first career win Sept. 29, 2023 with a 6-0 shutout on the road at R.C. Hatch. He also coached the Raiders to their 500th win in program history in a 33-0 shutout at home over Wilcox Central on Oct. 10, 2024.

A 2004 graduate of Central High School and 2013 graduate of Stillman College, Washington began his football coaching career at 19. He assisted the Central High School's offense from 2005-2010, including the 2007 Class 4A state championship season. As a Stillman student, he assisted the Tigers football program in breaking down video and analyzing opponents. Following graduation he assisted in coaching running backs on Coach Teddy Keaton's staff in 2014 and 2015.

He also assisted the Westlawn Middle School football program during his college undergraduate days. He also has previous teaching jobs at East Sunflower Elementary School (Miss.), Eastwood Middle School, the Tuscaloosa City School District and Jefferson County Public Schools.

Washington is the brother of Stillman College Athletics Hall of Fame Coach Dennis Conner, who served as the Tigers' football defensive coordinator under its first 10 seasons since the program was revived in 1999.