(Maryville, MO) Northwest Missouri State has completed its search for a new head football coach with John McMenamin taking over the program. McMenamin takes over after the Bearcats missed out on the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. He was part of two national title-winning teams at Northwest and set 27 Bearcat and MIAA records and still holds the record for pass yards in a game with 473.
McMenamin returns to Maryville after spending two years as the Co-Offensive Coordinator, passing game coordinator, and wide receivers coach at Tulane. The Elk Horn, Nebraska native has also coached at Midland, UNO, Wayne State, and Central Missouri.
McMenamin says it’s an honor to return to the program as head coach.
The hire focuses more on the offensive side of the football after the Bearcats have had some pretty slow starts on that side of the football in recent seasons. McMenamin has a history of having great offenses wherever he has been. At Tulane, he helped the Green Wave to the No. 9 ranked team in passing efficiency, No. 18 in points per game and No. 20 in red-zone offense.
During his stint at Central Missouri, the Mules had the No. 1 total offense in Div. II with 547.5 yards per game in 2019. The Mules also had the No. 2 ranked total offense in 2017 with 524.4 yards.
When asked to describe the brand of football he wants to bring to Maryville, the three words he used were fast, physical and relentless.
McMenamin believes the spring will be vital for immediate success next season and says the goal is to compete for national championships.
McMenamin returns to Northwest after 22 years away from the program after athletic director Andy Peterson elected not to renew former head coach Rich Wright’s contract. The Bearcats finished with a record of 6-5 last season.
Click below to listen to this article
