Best coaches in the MIAA

[northwest missouri state]

My experience - Chris Brown is as fine of a coach as I’ve seen. A great leader of men. He did peak. I think location prevented him from long standing success. Can only get so far with western Kansas grit and spot recruiting.

Watkins I’m not sure about ranking seems fair. Very high character guy but he’s had his hands on the Washburn program for years as a coach when they haven’t exactly been stellar. That may have been the worst offense I’ve seen last year the first half of the season year 1.

ran into a former player (te from the early 10s) professionally recently who loves watkins & is convinced he's going to win there sooner than later.

[GorillaTeacher]

we're not comparing him to coaches in 1aa so idk why that's relevant but i also agree ryan day is better if anyone's asking. i also dk what it is about this board re: trying to marginalize him but other than the dude at ferris there's no one that compares in d2. could his run be over? it's possible but we're only a yr removed from a cc he built from scratch. it's also possible last yr was a blip due to his trip to betty ford. time will tell.

No, but I think the best coaches should find success at any level. I'm willing to overlook ACU, however. I am not trying to marginalize him, just not venerating him either. I don't have green tinted glasses and fond nostalgia to view AD's tenure as a head coach. It DOES take a special coach to win 3 championships, but do we always say someone is the best current coach from what they did in the past?

I wouldn't say Roy Williams, Mike K, Bill Belichick, or Bill Self were always the best coach during their time? In fact, I think Self, Williams and Belichick were very ineffective later on, and I hope Self retires...

[KPKCBC]

No, but I think the best coaches should find success at any level. I'm willing to overlook ACU, however. I am not trying to marginalize him, just not venerating him either. I don't have green tinted glasses and fond nostalgia to view AD's tenure as a head coach. It DOES take a special coach to win 3 championships, but do we always say someone is the best current coach from what they did in the past?

I wouldn't say Roy Williams, Mike K, Bill Belichick, or Bill Self were always the best coach during their time? In fact, I think Self, Williams and Belichick were very ineffective later on, and I hope Self retires...

You may hope Self retitres but as much as I dislike that school in lawrence if you're listing the best basketball coaches in the Big 12 I think most people put him at #1. As far as AD, I understand what you are saying and maybe you are right. Maybe today, he isn't the best coach in the league, but I don't know how you put anyone above him when he has more rings than anyone else and just won the conference 2 seasons ago.

[GorillaTeacher]

You may hope Self retitres but as much as I dislike that school in lawrence if you're listing the best basketball coaches in the Big 12 I think most people put him at #1. As far as AD, I understand what you are saying and maybe you are right. Maybe today, he isn't the best coach in the league, but I don't know how you put anyone above him when he has more rings than anyone else and just won the conference 2 seasons ago.

Because the other 3 seasons he averaged 5.33 wins, with a median and mode of 6 wins...

Since the conference expanded, KU hasn't won the conference and this is the first year they were in the top 3 (4 games back from first), the other 2 years, they were 5th? The teams that are winning the conference are doing so with less resources. The product on the floor is worse, and the home losses are atrocious. Dabo Swinney has trouble adjusting, and I think Self is having trouble adjusting as well. And then I see Ben McCollum winning in places without the pedigree and tradition, and you question why we keep old guard coaches... Id offer McCollum a contract right now, lol.

[Predatory Primates]

I think coaching, must be a little like golf. Nobody stays at the top for long.

Broyles, Beck, Rich Wright all roared like lions, but kind of went out like lambs in the end.

Then again, Mel T even had some down years mixed in before grabbing another gear.

[Brandon]

I think it would be interesting to rankthe all-time miaa coaches from 1-10. I think there will be some interesting discussions.

[KPKCBC]

I think it would be interesting to rankthe all-time miaa coaches from 1-10. I think there will be some interesting discussions.

Done, I will start it in a new thread.

[northwest missouri state]

No, but I think the best coaches should find success at any level. I'm willing to overlook ACU, however. I am not trying to marginalize him, just not venerating him either. I don't have green tinted glasses and fond nostalgia to view AD's tenure as a head coach. It DOES take a special coach to win 3 championships, but do we always say someone is the best current coach from what they did in the past?

I wouldn't say Roy Williams, Mike K, Bill Belichick, or Bill Self were always the best coach during their time? In fact, I think Self, Williams and Belichick were very ineffective later on, and I hope Self retires...

decent troll i guess. you got me at first.

[transparent58]

My experience - Chris Brown is as fine of a coach as I’ve seen. A great leader of men. He did peak. I think location prevented him from long standing success. Can only get so far with western Kansas grit and spot recruiting.

Watkins I’m not sure about ranking seems fair. Very high character guy but he’s had his hands on the Washburn program for years as a coach when they haven’t exactly been stellar. That may have been the worst offense I’ve seen last year the first half of the season year 1.

Brown remains one of my favorite Gorilla players, ever. Was an absolute unit in the early 90's.

[washeduptiger]

My experience - Chris Brown is as fine of a coach as I’ve seen. A great leader of men. He did peak. I think location prevented him from long standing success. Can only get so far with western Kansas grit and spot recruiting.
1.

Will be interesting to see what happens with probably the biggest staff shake up since the end of the 2014 season.
mccray out. Strength and conditioning coach is moving on. Be interesting to see if we can see some real development out of the QB and WR room during the 3rd year of this OC. QB play despite him moving to D1 I thought was severely lacking. OL looks like there’s big body’s that should be able to play but will be replacing a few

Harris and Hickel will figure the defense out.

[Predatory Primates]

Brown remains one of my favorite Gorilla players, ever. Was an absolute unit in the early 90's.

Guy was a beast in the alley.

[washeduptiger]

Guy was a beast in the alley.

For 5’8 and 170 lbs he could still put some fear in you 15ish years ago. Can’t imagine what he looked like in his prime.

[GrifFan]

Subjectively I feel like Fenwick is too low. More objectively, I’m not sure how a HC with the same # of wins and 35 more losses is ranked ahead of him.

[Predatory Primates]

I like big lists and I can not lie. Here are the best coaches in the conference.

1. Adam Dorrel — Central Oklahoma

• The "Gold Standard": His profile is centered on his status as one of the most successful coaches in D-II history. He is the only active MIAA coach with three National Titles (2013, 2015, 2016) as a head coach.
• Unprecedented Win Streaks: At Northwest Missouri, he led the team to thirty consecutive wins and three undefeated seasons.
• The UCO Turnaround: He took a middle-of-the-pack UCO team to their first MIAA title in program history in 2024.
• Coaching Awards: 3x AFCA National Coach of the Year; 4x AFCA Regional Coach of the Year; 3x MIAA Coach of the Year (2013, 2016, 2024).
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 28–18
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 123–58

2. John McMenamin — Northwest Missouri State

• The Return of a Legend: A former Bearcat QB who went 24–2 as a starter and won two National Championships as a player.
• Offensive Architecture: Architect of the Central Missouri offense (2015–19) that led the nation in total offense (547.5 ypg).
• FBS Pedigree: Helped lead Tulane to a Cotton Bowl victory over USC as their pass game coordinator.
• Coaching Awards: 2025 MIAA Coach of the Year; 2025 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 9–3
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 16–7

3. Chris Brown — Fort Hays State

• Historic Stability: The winningest coach in FHSU history. He transformed a struggling program into a consistent Top-25 powerhouse over the last 13 years.
• The 2017 Breakthrough: Highlighted by an 11–0 undefeated regular season in 2017.
• Defensive Roots: Before FHSU, he spent 9 seasons at Washburn as the DC, helping them win their first-ever MIAA title in 2005.
• Coaching Awards: 2x MIAA Coach of the Year (2017, 2018); 2017 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 95–63
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 95–63

4. Tom Anthony — Pittsburg State

• Defensive Mastermind: As DC in 2022, his defense led the MIAA in scoring defense (14.1 ppg).
• Winning Percentage: Has maintained an elite .750 winning percentage since taking over as Head Coach.
• National Playing Career: An All-American at Augustana, leading all of college football with 13 interceptions in 2005.
• Coaching Awards: Part of the 2022 & 2024 MIAA Coaching Staff of the Year; 2025 MIAA Co-Champion.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 18–6
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 18–6

5. Josh Lamberson — Central Missouri

• The Offensive Genius: Led the nation in nearly every offensive category in 2023.
• Quarterback Guru: Developed Zach Zebrowski, who set the all-time D-II record for passing touchdowns (61) in a single season.
• MIAA Pedigree: Former star player at Northwest Missouri and previously the head coach at Nebraska-Kearney.
• Coaching Awards: 2023 MIAA Coach of the Year; 2023 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 29–18
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 30–39

6. Garin Higgins — Emporia State

• The Dean of the MIAA: The winningest coach in Emporia State history and ranks 5th all-time in career wins among all MIAA coaches.
• Postseason Prowess: Led ESU to the postseason seven times, including a run to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2015.
• Dual-Success: Previously the HC at Northeastern State, where he led them to the NCAA Semifinals in 2000.
• Coaching Awards: 2010 MIAA Coach of the Year; 2015 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year; 2x Lone Star COTY.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 118–90
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 169–99

7. Ryan Held — Nebraska-Kearney

• The Power-5 Recruiter: Key assistant at Nebraska and UCF (part of the 13–0 Peach Bowl championship staff).
• Head Coaching Breadth: Has been a head coach at five different institutions, spanning JUCO and D-II.
• Coaching Awards: 2x KCAC Coach of the Year; Recognized as a Top 25 National Recruiter by Rivals.com.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 9–13
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 68–102

8. Tyler Fenwick — Missouri Western

• The Turnaround Specialist: Led Missouri S&T to their first 10-win season in decades and turned Southeastern Oklahoma State into a 9-win team.
• The Griffon Connection: Was the OC at Missouri Western during their "Golden Era" (2007–2012).
• Coaching Awards: 2018 GLVC Coach of the Year; 2021 GAC Coach of the Year.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 15–19
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 68–67

9. Zach Watkins — Washburn

• The All-American Linebacker: Washburn’s all-time leading tackler and was a First Team All-American as a player.
• Defensive Coordinator Tenure: Spent 11 seasons as DC, with units consistently in the Top 25 nationally for takeaways.
• Coaching Awards: 2009 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year (Player); 2024 MIAA Coaching Staff member.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 3–8
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 3–8

10. Atiba Bradley — Missouri Southern

• The Trailblazer: The first African American head coach in MIAA history and a Joplin native/former MSSU player.
• Cultural Shift: Credited with improving program discipline and community engagement in a historically difficult rebuild.
• Coaching Awards: Missouri State Senate Resolution for leadership; 2023 "Trailblazer" recognition.
• The Records:
  • Record at Current School: 19–38
  • Overall Head Coach Record: 19–38

I would go:
1= AD for past success
2=GH Consistency over time. Does a lot with a little.
3=CB consistency over time
4=TA On the right track, but heading the right direction.
5=JM one year, so far so good.
6=JL Always has a good O. Put people in place to get the D heading in the right direction.
7= AB Improved MoSo without cheating.
8= The others

[HookemHerd]

Will be interesting to see what happens with probably the biggest staff shake up since the end of the 2014 season.
mccray out. Strength and conditioning coach is moving on. Be interesting to see if we can see some real development out of the QB and WR room during the 3rd year of this OC. QB play despite him moving to D1 I thought was severely lacking. OL looks like there’s big body’s that should be able to play but will be replacing a few

Harris and Hickel will figure the defense out.

McCray recruiting pipeline seemed to dry up a little