DeMeo began his head coaching career at his alma mater, Iona College.
DeMeo was inducted into the Iona College Hall of Fame in 1997 for his affiliation with two undefeated teams: first as a player in 1967 and then as the head coach in 1977.
[5] DeMeo was the 39th head football coach at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, serving for eight seasons, from 1994 to 2001, and compiling a record of 31–54.
His 31 wins are third-most among head coaches in Washburn's history, behind Ernest Bearg and Craig Schurig.
His Golden Eagles finished the 2007 season with an 8–3 record and ranked ninth in the Northeast Region of Division II.