Coaching Changes for 2025
July 4th, 2025 12:00pm
By Chuck Bitner, national columnist
Most seasons deliver a bevy of coaching changes in Division II and the 2024-2025 cycle was no different. A total of 26 programs will enter the season with a new man in charge. In this column we will explore all of the coaching changes since last season, with emphasis on some of the most high profile positions.
The most notable change occurred at Northwest Missouri State. The six-time national championship program did not renew Rich Wright’s contract despite a 65-22 record over seven seasons, with three MIAA championships. The Bearcats had slipped to 7-4 in 2023 and 6-5 in 2024. They failed to make the playoffs in both seasons and the administration was unwilling to risk any further decline. Wright was not retained but did find a soft landing, taking the defensive coordinator position at Central Missouri.
Northwest was believed to be pursuing former head coach and three-time national champion Adam Dorrel but that option was taken off the table when Dorrel signed an extension to remain at Central Oklahoma. Northwest was still able to move quickly. On December 5, 2024 they announced the hiring of John McMenamin, a former All-MIAA quarterback for the Bearcats from 1998-2002. McMenamin has an impressive coaching pedigree including a short stint as head coach at Wayne State (Neb.) from 2019-2021. That tenure included just one season of on-field action but it did produce the first seven win season in more than 11 years.
In the RMAC, Colorado Mines found itself in need of a new head coach for the third time in four years. Pete Sterbick, who led the Orediggers to the national finals in his debut season in 2023, resigned to become offensive coordinator at FCS Montana State. To backfill his spot, Mines found its future in the past, recruiting former head coach Bob Stitt to return to Golden. Stitt was head coach at Mines from 2000-2014, compiling a record of 108-62 and setting the school record for career wins. Stitt went on to be head coach at FCS Montana from 2015 through 2017.
Valdosta State advanced to the national finals for the sixth time in school history in 2024. The Blazers fell to Ferris State but the undefeated conference championship season put Tremaine Jackson on the radar of FCS programs. Jackson departed for Prairie View A&M immediately after the championship game. His successor is Graham Craig, a former quarterback for the Blazers and the program’s offensive coordinator last season. He also served as offensive coordinator at West Georgia for three seasons. This will be Craig’s first head coaching position at any level of football.
Defending MEC champs Charleston lost head coach Quinn Sanders to Division I. Sanders was hired as offensive coordinator at FBS Northern Illinois. The Eagles stayed in-house, elevating Michael Tesch to head coach. Tesch was Charleston’s offensive coordinator last season.
Washburn made the difficult decision to part with Craig Schurig after 22 years leading the program. The Ichabods won just five games over the last two seasons. Zach Watkins will take over. Watkins was an All-American linebacker for the ‘bods (2006-2009) and has been on staff in Topeka for the past 11 seasons.
Sam Shade guided Miles to a SIAC championship and post-season appearance in 2024. He earned a step up to Division I and is now head coach at Alabama A&M. Chris Goode takes over as the new Golden Bears head coach. Goode has a diverse background in coaching and player development. He also started 66 games for the Indianapolis Colts as a professional.
Roy Thompson Jr. was AFCA’s assistant coach of the year for his performance as defensive coordinator at Ouachita Baptist last fall. Thompson remains in the GAC but will now serve as the 18th head coach at Arkansas Tech. Thompson will look to get the Wonderboys over the hump to a winning campaign following three straight 5-6 seasons.
In one of the most surprising moves of the off season, long-time Southwest Baptist coach Robert Clardy resigned after a total of 22 seasons in the Bearcat program as a player, assistant and head coach. He is the winningest head coach in program history. Clardy will remain in Boliver as head coach of Boliver High School football. Paul Hansen was hired in February to lead the SBU program. He comes from Mid America Nazarene, where he led the team to back-to-back conference championships and a Top 10 NAIA national ranking in his five seasons at the helm.
Dan Mulrooney left Lock Haven after three seasons to become defensive coordinator at Brown. There aren’t many places where 10-12 over a two year stretch is a success, but considering Lock Haven hasn’t had a winning season since 1981, coming up one game short two years in a row was eye opening. After a three month search, the Bald Eagles elevated offensive coordinator Joe Battaglia to head coach.
Two sitting head coaches stepped away from their duties to accept the role of Athletics Director at their respective institutions. Mike Salinas made the transition at Texas A&M-Kingsville, handing off coaching responsibilities to Scott Parr. Parr brings a diverse background to the program with experience in Division I and Division II as well as a head coaching stint at the junior college level. Brett Gilliland led West Alabama to the post season in 2024, his last as head coach.Gilliand has completed his transition to full time AD and hired Scott Cochran to lead the program. Cochran has had a long career as a strength and conditioning coach, most notably at Louisiana State and Alabama.
Fort Valley State lost Shawn Gibbs to FCS North Carolina A&T. Marlon Watson takes over after a recent stint as an assistant at FCS Prairie View A&M. Elsewhere in the SIAC, Lane hired Stanley Conner, a veteran coach with 30 years of experience. He recently completed his eighth year on staff at SIAC rival Miles.
Concord replaced Brian Ferguson after a two-year stint that produced only two wins. The Mountain Lions now look to Cody Edwards, who has been a defensive coordinator in Division II and NAIA as well as a defensive position coach in Division I. Concord will be his first head coaching position.
Adams State was one of the first teams to enter the coaching market, moving on from Jarrell Harrison immediately after a winless season. The Grizzlies brought in alumnus Levi Gallas to take over.
The Northeast 10 has three coaching changes this fall. CJ Scarpa takes over for Saj Thakkar at Bentley. Thakkar was hired at Division I Davidson. Andy Rondeau was not retained at Pace and will be replaced by Chad Walker. Southern Connecticut made a late switch after the new year, electing to terminate Tom Godek. The Owls went through the entire spring without a head coach but did well with the hiring of Joe Loth who is the winningest head coach at Division III Western Connecticut.
In the CIAA, Shaw released Adrian Jones and hired Lamar Manigo in his place. Jones landed on his feet at conference rival Elizabeth City State, succeeding Marcus Hilliard.
Edinboro hired former New Haven defensive coordinator Matt Scott to replace Jake Nulph who resigned. Scott’s Charger defenses were among the best in the nation for most of his tenure.
Jared Williamson was the only head coach to have led the Roosevelt football program until this winter. Williamson left for another opportunity and the Lakers have turned to defensive coordinator William McKeon to be their new leader.
The only coaching change in the NSIC is at Winona State. Brian Bergstrom left to become defensive coordinator at South Dakota State. Brian Curtin takes over the Warrior program. Curtin graduated from Winona State in 1999 and has been part of the coaching staff since 1997.
Jeff Farington retired as North Greenville’s head coach. The Trailblazers will head into a new era in Conference Carolinas with Nate Garner in charge.
Sul Ross heads into year two as a Division II program with Lee Hays taking over the program. Hays has decades of experience in college and high school coaching, with nearly all of it in the state of Texas.
The most recent coaching change occurred at Seton Hill. Dan Day left the program in early June to pursue opportunities outside of coaching. The Griffins promoted defensive coordinator Kevin May to head coach.
