Best coaches in the MIAA

[Predatory Primates]

they’re all going to have to do both to varying degrees depending on the season & attrition to be successful.

Agreed. Now you have to develop players knowing that x percent will leave after 2 or 3 years, while also using the portal.

The days of guys grinding for 3 or 4 years just to see much playing time are mostly over.

[northwest missouri state]

they’re all going to have to do both to varying degrees depending on the season & attrition to be successful.

[CatFan88]

It's also wild how much the portal has already changed what makes a good coach?

To me, it seems like it's more about being really good at getting the most out of what you have right this second, and less about big picture development than it used to be. At no time has it been easier to have wild swings from great to meh and back to great based on who shows up or leaves in the off season.

McMenamin has dipped into the portal some, but he seems hell bent on building through development. Will see how that shakes out. Sure doesn't seem to be the norm anymore, if there is such a thing.

[Predatory Primates]

It's also wild how much the portal has already changed what makes a good coach?

To me, it seems like it's more about being really good at getting the most out of what you have right this second, and less about big picture development than it used to be. At no time has it been easier to have wild swings from great to meh and back to great based on who shows up or leaves in the off season.

[washeduptiger]

Good/great recruiter but I don't think he could develop worth a hell.

Washburn looked like they recruited really well the last year. I wonder how well they can develop with Watkins new staff. I haven't seen a good QB or interior DL in a long time

Watkins was/is always a hell of a recruiter. Always killed it in Denver and surrounding areas and somewhat in KC when at Hays.

[the Northeasterner]

Higgins was only a offensive coordinator at northeastern State. He was head coach at Northwest Oklahoma State where he was a four-time conference champion and one time National runner-up has a head coach in naia.

[HookemHerd]

Supposedly there’s a RB on roster with a McCray link that may tear it up. We’ll see if it’s rumor or not. Just don’t think we’ve had as much development in the WR room that we should have since bieberle (sp). And there’s been plenty of guys that looked the part.

Good/great recruiter but I don't think he could develop worth a hell.

Washburn looked like they recruited really well the last year. I wonder how well they can develop with Watkins new staff. I haven't seen a good QB or interior DL in a long time

[Mule4ever]

Current UCM coach is rated WAY to High without a great QB his record is mediocre. I hope it gets better. As good as Zach Z was Coach L didn't even have him start the first game he got in early due to an injury and the rest is history. He bailed on UNK losing record,and he and Dorrell did not due well at ACU and are now back in the MIAA. Hope he has success but the jury is still out . Just one guys opinion everyone has one.

[washeduptiger]

McCray recruiting pipeline seemed to dry up a little

Supposedly there’s a RB on roster with a McCray link that may tear it up. We’ll see if it’s rumor or not. Just don’t think we’ve had as much development in the WR room that we should have since bieberle (sp). And there’s been plenty of guys that looked the part.

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.