Deacon Noss

Deacon Alexandria Noss is one of the main characters of Head Coach. He is the tight end for the New York Jets. Deacon's character was inspired by Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox, which was mentioned in an interview with Sonya Gisella.
== Team History ==
* Iona Prep (2013-2017)
* Cincinnati Bearcats (2017-2020)
* New York Jets (2020-, 68th draft pick)
== Backstory ==
=== Childhood ===
Deacon Alexandria Noss was born on November 15th, 1999, in Lansing, Michigan. His mother died shortly after Deacon's birth due to birth complications. His father, Steven, married Deacon's stepmother, Destini Rodgers-Noss, when Deacon turned 2. He did not know his biological mother until his father told him about her death when he was 5. Learning about his biological mother's death traumatized Deacon, making him frightened of death and the concept of it. 
Deacon found football an "easy distraction" from his trauma and anxiety. He grew up watching the Detroit Lions, and he was always excited to watch them play, even if they were a bad team. Deacon was inspired by former quarterback Ty Detmer and decided to play football, starting in 4th grade. During 4th and 5th grade, Deacon played the guard position. Looking back at it, Deacon didn't enjoy being a guard.
"I was a guard in elementary school. And it was BOOORING! I won't guard Jakob, but I'll definitely guard you! If you, of course, agree to it." - Deacon to Alya in "Huddle"
=== Teen years ===
In middle and high school, Deacon decided to play the tight end position, after his teammate, Dustin Holmes, suffered a season ending injury right before his first game. Dustin would later become a kicker for Deacon’s team, claiming kicking was “far more easier” than being a tight end,
=== College years ===
In 2017, Deacon was recruited to the Cincinnati Bearcats as a tight end. He played for three seasons, scored only 2 touchdowns, and ended his college career with over 610 receiving yards. His life in college hasn’t been discussed much in the Head Coach franchise. 
=== Time in the NFL ===
Deacon was the 68th pick in round 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was drafted to the Jets as their new starting tight end.
===== Kickoff & Combine =====
In the series premiere of Head Coach, titled "Kickoff", Deacon becomes mad with Lana Graves after she becomes the new head coach for the Jets, replacing Elias Knight. Deacon gets mad with his teammates as well. Jakob Hilton and Allen Kroger try to figure out why Deacon got all mad, but to no avail. In the final game in the preseason, during the Jets' away match up with the Panthers, Deacon injures his knee, forcing him out of the rest of the game. In the next episode, "Combine", Lana and a physician find out Deacon faked an injury. As punishment, Deacon was suspended for two games in the regular season, which meant he would miss his first regular season game. 
"Your tight end, Deacon, faked his knee injury. NFL reached out to me and told me that they've suspended him for 2 games. Hopefully he learns his lesson." - Doctor
"Geez Louise." - Lana
During the first two games of the regular season, Deacon sat at the Jets' bench, watching his teammates plays and studying the plays and tactics of his rival teams' tight ends. While Deacon sat out, Lana tried to talk to Deacon, and calm him down a bit. Her attempts failed and "called for backup" from her players, which also failed.
"Tommy, Vince. Go talk to Deacon. Tell him that we're gonna be fine." - Lana
"I tried that, and he won't budge! He's like me when I'm constipated!" - Tommy Cloud
"He just grunted at me. Deac just doesn't want to talk." - Vincent "Vinnie" Ward
"Enough with the poop talk. Last quarter's about to start, get on the field!" - Lana
===== Teamwork Makes The Dream Work =====
In "Teamwork Makes The Dream Work", Deacon was only on screen for a main role in the episode for a few seconds, when he was confronted by Tommy Cloud.
"Deac! I know you hate us all, but how do you feel about Baker Mayfield? He kinda sucks, but that's okay. The rest of the team is pretty chill." - Tommy
"They all suck and I hope they don't talk to me, EVER. Now leave me alone. Ugh." - Deacon
===== J-E-T-S! Jets Jets Jets! =====
In "J-E-T-S! Jets Jets Jets!", Deacon attends the Jets' last-minute post-game Halloween party at Spoolie's Nightclub, dressed up as a cat. Deacon spent most of his time sitting at the bar, watching other people talk as he drank shots of sparkling water, wishing it was something else, since he was under the drinking age. When he was confronted by Lana at the bar, Deacon stomped into the restroom, slamming the door behind Lana. Lana tried to start a conversation with Deacon multiple times, but failed, due to Deacon's never-ending stubbornness. 
===== Law & Son =====
In "Law & Son", at the beginning of the episode, Lana, Matthias "Matt" Clay, and Deacon are in an office, discussing the future of Deacon's career after fighting with Jakob on the Jets bus. A flashback scene was shown, where Jakob and Deacon fought verbally. Deacon claims he "did" Jakob's mom. Lana points out that Deacon has barely done anything crowd pleasing in his first few games. Due to his lack of performance, Lana and Matt suggest that Deacon is traded to another team, where he would improve and feel "welcomed". Deacon did not want to be traded, saying that he'll improve in no time, and show Lana what he can really do.
Later on in "Law & Son", Lana sprains her wrist after the running back from the Commanders accidentally bumps into her at full force, trying to get to the end zone. Deacon runs over to Lana and helps her up. At the end of the episode, as the Jets are getting on the bus, Lana thanks Deacon for helping her back up on her feet. Deacon asks if he's going to stay on the team. Lana says she will keep Deacon on the team, as long as he shows improvement. 
"So, is he going or staying!?" - Matt
"I'm keeping him! If it's the only way to stop hearing him bawl like that!" - Lana 
===== Baker Mayfield's Pet Spider, Babysitter's Club, and Thanks, Gibbons =====
Deacon made a brief appearance in "Baker Mayfield's Pet Spider" and "Babysitter's Club". He made a main role return in "Thanks, Gibbons", where he reunites with Dustin Holmes at a thanksgiving dinner in MetLife Stadium, who had recently suffered a season-ending injury and is looking for something to past the time as he heals. Deacon also reunites with Tyrone Gibbons lll, who was in town solely to reunite with Lana. Also in the episode, Deacon makes a connection with Vincent, wanting to be friends again. Deacon and Vinnie later hugged.
"This whole Dustin thing has me thinking... Do you wanna... you know... be friends again? Like we were back at Iona Prep?" - Deacon
"Oh, of course! I mean, weren't we still already friends in the first place?" - Vinnie
===== Giants and The Jets =====
In "Giants and The Jets", despite the Jets getting into multiple fights with the Giants due to both teams being long time rivals, Deacon becomes good acquaintances with Giants tight end Evan Engram. At the end of the episode, during a conversation with Jakob, Lana believes that Deacon took her advice very well, and that he's progressing and improving as a player.
===== Bye Sexual =====
At the beginning of "Bye Sexual", after being blackmailed online and seeing several rumors about himself, Vinnie comes out as gay to Deacon, before he comes out to the entire team. Deacon is very supportive of Vinnie, and comes out himself. The pair hang out together throughout the episode, during their bye week.
"So... I thought it was appropriate to tell you this now, amid all the rumors and blackmail and stuff... I'm gay." - Vinnie
"Hey man, that's cool with me, 1000%. I like guys too. Well, not as much as you do, I like other genders too, but you get the gist. Proud of you, Vinnie." - Deacon
Near the end of the episode, after Vinnie comes out to the rest of the Jets as gay, his teammates and Lana give him a hug, along with Deacon. At the end of “Bye Sexual”, Deacon encounters Levi Melton, a former teammate of Vinnie’s college team, Ohio State. Levi asks for Vinnie’s number, which Deacon provides. Vinnie later receives his first text from Levi in almost 2 years, shocking him.
“Hey Vinnie :)” - Levi via text
“Oh. My. Gosh.” - Vinnie
===== Can Newton’s Fig Newtons =====
In the next episode, “Cam Newton’s Fig Newtons”, Deacon’s anger and stubbornness returns, after meeting Patriots quarterback Cam Newton before the game. Deacon gets mad at Cam for “ridiculing tweets” criticizing him during his days with the Bearcats. Their fight was verbal at first, but later became physical.
"You should have NEVER said that crap about me, dick! Look where I am now, with the Jets! I am THRIVING! Something you haven't been doing the past 2 years!" - Deacon
"My guy, I was injured these past couple of years! You need to be considerate of others!" - Cam
"How can I be considerate of a guy who believed I'd never make it! You sack of quarterback sh--" - Deacon
Deacon and Cam continually called each other names and insults during the game. After the game, the NFL fined Deacon, and Lana ordered him to make a formal apology before he left the Gillette Stadium. Deacon obliged and apologized to Cam. Before Deacon left, he handed Cam a prototype copy of Tommy Cloud's new "book", titled "Cam Newton's Fig Newtons".
"I'm sincerely sorry for my actions earlier. I promise you this will never happen again. Here, take this on the road with you. Also, your defense sucks. Just a personal opinion. Bye." - Deacon
"Cam Newton's... Fig Newtons? I have a book? And I don't like fig newtons! Mister Tommy Cloud, you better be ready to meet my lawyers." - Cam
===== Merry Chrysler =====
In "Merry Chrysler", after his game with the Packers, Deacon helps his teammates organize a Christmas Eve party. He is a minor character in this episode, as Vinnie Ward and Levi Melton are the main focus. 
===== New York's New Year's Eve Eve =====
Deacon becomes the main focus in "New York's New Year's Eve Eve". In the episode, after practice for the upcoming Seahawks game, Matthias Clay, Alya McClaren, and Deacon, help out the electricians at Lumen Field display Jets graphics used at their home stadium in New Jersey. Deacon points out that the "touchdown" graphic is misspelled, and reads "tocuhdonw" instead. Matthias says its no big deal, while Alya disagrees with him. Matthias and Deacon get into a verbal argument over the subject matter, spewing the same points back and forth, Before their argument could turn into an all-out physical fight, Deacon and Matthias smash each other against the electrical controls in the control room, damaging them and causing the power to go out in the stadium, leaving the Seahawks and Jets in total darkness.
"Aw, great! Look at what we did, Deac! We shut off all the power! And our game's tomorrow evening!" - Matthias
"At least you're holding the both of us accountable! God, I'm so tired. I'm leaving." - Deacon
"...I don't think that's safe right now, Deacon." - Alya
During the episode, Deacon, Matthias, and Alya try and help out Seattle technicians restore power in Lumen Field, as punishment for their childish actions. The rest of the Jets and the Seahawks move their final practice to a O'Dea High School's football field. Both the Jets and Seahawks befriend O'Dea's football team, and end up having a joint practice with them. Around the end of the episode, Deacon, Matthias, and Alya finally restore power in Lumen Field, and the Jets play their game against the Seahawks, which they end up winning, 21-12.
At the end of the episode, Deacon reunites with Alya on the plane ride home. They both introduce themselves and express their love for movies.
"Do you like film at all? I've always been sorta a film nut." - Alya
"Oh my gosh, I LOOOVE film! I love studying it in my pastime! I love watching myself play football and learning how to impro-" - Deacon
"Not that kind of film, Deac. I mean movies." - Alya
"Oh my gosh, I love movies! I haven't watched one in a month!" - Deacon
Deacon and Alya hugged each other at the beginning of New Year's Day, marking the start of their friendship.
===== Relax =====
In "Relax", Deacon is the first one to spot Lana, becoming dizzy and losing consciousness. Deacon and Jakob run over to Lana and make sure that she doesn't hit her head on the ground as she faints. Jakob helps take Lana to the hospital and tends to her while she regains full consciousness. 
"Jay! Lana's gonna pass out! Come!" - Deacon
While Jakob and Lana were out of the game, backup quarterback Hunter Morton takes Jakob's place for the rest of the game, and the rest of the Jets will have to play the last 2 quarters of their game without their head coach. The Jets attempts to keep up failed, losing the game 7-18. At the end of the episode, Deacon visits Lana's apartment, and tells her that the Jets have one more chance in the playoffs, and that the Jets wouldn't be where they are now without her. Lana nearly broke into tears, before being surprised by a few members of the Jets offense and defense, giving her a hug.
"Hey, don't worry! We got one more shot to enter the playoffs. We got a good streak going." - Deacon
"But, I wasn't there. And you lost. I should've stayed." - Lana
"You shouldn't have. Your body needed to rest. And on top of that, me and the team wanted to let you know that we've gotten so far, thanks to you. We wouldn't be here right now if you weren't our coach. Thank you again, Lana." - Deacon
===== Last Shot =====
In "Last Shot", Deacon returns to his stubborn ways, after arriving to his home state, Michigan, to play against the Detroit Lions, for a chance to enter the NFL Playoffs. At the beginning of the episode, Deacon avoids his fellow teammates and Lana. Throughout the game, Deacon keeps getting blocked by other players, in an attempt to get a touchdown for the Jets in his hometown. In the 4th quarter of the game, Deacon spots his step-mother and father in the stands, rooting for their son, before Deacon gets trampled. After getting up, Deacon takes off his helmet and chucks it to the ground, stomping back to the Jets' locker room. His rage quit drew shock and a few boos from the crowd.
"Deacon Noss appears to be mad. He threw his helmet on the ground and is walking back to the locker room after that vicious crush from Lions defensive end Broderick Knight. This will most likely be a penalty for Deacon and the Jets." - FOX Sports Commentator
After Deacon's rage quit, Lana runs back into the locker room to chat with Deacon, with his helmet in her hand, after the game was paused because of a severe thunderstorm. Lana calls for Deacon, and gets a angry response in return. 
"...Deac? You alrigh-?" - Lana
"GO AWAY. PLEASE." - Deacon
Lana, not satisfied with Deacon, comes closer to him and sits right next to him. Lana asks Deacon why he rage quit the game. Deacon refuses to give Lana a clear answer. She asks Deacon another question, wondering if something had "triggered" him to leave. Deacon responded tearfully, noting that his parents were in town, and they reminded him of Lana in a way.
"My parents are here, specifically my... stepmother. My birth mom passed after I was born, and I didn't know she died until Dad told me the news a few years later... And I never really got used to the fact that my birth mom wouldn't be present. That reminded me of... you, in a way. When you became head coach, I couldn't fathom the fact that Elias would be gone from the team... Sorry, I can't go further." - Deacon