Former Minisink Valley Star Joins Duquesne Football Coaching Staff

Anton Juncaj, a standout defensive lineman, takes on new role as position coach.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the angular, overlapping forms of a football player in a defensive stance, with sharp planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange colors.A cubist interpretation of a defensive lineman's explosive movements captures the raw energy of collegiate football.Today in Pittsburgh

Anton Juncaj, a former star defensive lineman at Minisink Valley and NFL hopeful, has been hired as the defensive line coach at Duquesne University. Juncaj, who had a standout collegiate career at multiple schools, will join the coaching staff under associate defensive head coach Greg Gattuso.

Why it matters

Juncaj's hiring represents an opportunity for the young coach to transition into the next phase of his football career after narrowly missing out on an NFL roster spot. His defensive expertise and experience as a dominant collegiate player could help bolster Duquesne's defensive unit as they look to build on a 7-5 season in 2025.

The details

Juncaj was a consensus first-team All-American in 2023 while playing for Gattuso at Albany, where he recorded 55 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and a program-record 15 sacks. He then spent the 2024 season at the University of Arkansas, appearing in 11 games and totaling 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Over his collegiate career, Juncaj compiled 152 tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss, and 26 sacks.

  • Juncaj attended a rookie minicamp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last May but was never offered a contract.
  • Duquesne finished 7-5 and 5-2 in the Northeast Conference last season.

The players

Anton Juncaj

A former star defensive lineman at Minisink Valley who had a standout collegiate career, including being a consensus first-team All-American in 2023 while playing at Albany.

Greg Gattuso

The associate defensive head coach at Duquesne University, who previously coached Juncaj at Albany.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Juncaj's move into coaching at the collegiate level showcases his continued dedication to the sport and his desire to share his expertise with the next generation of players. His hiring at Duquesne could be a valuable addition to the program as they look to build on their recent success.