Monte Henderson helped establish a passing defense that ranked among the top three Missouri Valley Football Conference defenses three times in his four years as Western Illinois’ defensive backs coach (2005-08).

Henderson's 2008 lineup helped record 13 interceptions and a pass defense efficiency rating of 117.06, the third-best in the league. A pair of starting defensive backs earned all-conference recognition in repeat first-team selection Patrick Stoudamire and second-team honoree Mike McEachern, a 2008 CFL Draft pick. True freshman Tim Franken, meanwhile, was named to the league's all-newcomer team after ranking second among all conference players with four interceptions.

After a passing defense that ranked 110th in the nation in 2005, Henderson’s 2006 squad ranked second in the league and the 2007 squad led the league, ranking 22nd nationally. The Leathernecks’ defensive backfield allowed just 183.6 passing yards per game in 2006 and 175.5 in 2007. Western Illinois also ranked 25th in the nation in pass efficiency defense and ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams in five defensive categories that year.

Through four seasons as Western Illinois’ defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator, the former University of Arkansas assistant has helped produce three true freshmen Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team honorees - Trokon Tompo in 2005, Stoudamire in 2006 and Franken in 2008. Tompo led all conference freshmen in tackles (61), started all 11 games and was the team’s second-leading tackler with 35 solo stops and eight tackles for loss. Stoudamire led all league freshmen in passes broken up and started the final four games of the season. Henderson has also tutored five all-conference nominees - sophomore Milan Woodard in 2005, senior Fu’ad Khaleel in 2006, Stoudamire and junior Robert Hodges in 2007.

Henderson spent the previous seven years in a variety of capacities with the Razorbacks, working with the Arkansas secondary under 21-year veteran coach Bobby Allen and assisting a 2004 Arkansas defense which ranked fourth in the SEC and 21st nationally. The Razorbacks held opponents to 187.0 passing yards per game, and picked off 17 passes, the third-most in the SEC.

Henderson served two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at Arkansas, coordinating the offensive scout team and assisting in the breakdown of opponents’ offensive game film. He spent his first year working directly with defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. In those two seasons, the Razorbacks compiled a 14-10 record and a win over Missouri in the 2003 Independence Bowl.

Before becoming an assistant at Arkansas, Henderson worked as an administrative assistant on the Razorback staff from 1998 to 2002, aiding in game planning and preparation, recruiting, academic development and game day management.

In seven seasons in Fayetteville, Henderson was part of three bowl teams and two SEC Western Division title squads (1998, 2002).

In addition to a 2003 Independence Bowl victory, Henderson was a part of the 2002 Music City Bowl (29-14 loss to Minnesota) and the 2001 Cotton Bowl (10-3 loss to Oklahoma).

Henderson was also actively involved in conducting Bible studies through Arkansas Athletes Outreach (AAO), an organization which focuses on building Champions for Life through the influence of sports on campus and in the community. At Western he is involved with the University’s chapter of Athletes in Action.