The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) has realigned its divisions heading into year three as a 12-team league, creating new and intriguing postseason races for the NAIA. If this new divisional split had been in place in 2024, the Bissell rankings by record would have gone as follows: Evangel, Tabor, Bethel, Avila, Bethany, and Ottawa.
Evangel is the clear frontrunner heading into the 2025 season. With a strong returning core, solid coaching, and program-wide confidence, the Valor are poised for a standout year. Head Coach Chuck Hepola brings back nine starters on offense, led by quarterback Reid Potts. Potts might see competition from Southwest Baptist QB transfer Salvatore Caldarella. Running back Eric Williams and wide receiver Broc Lyle add veteran presence and production to the offense. Defensively, Evangel returns six starters, including standout defensive end Zach Myers. Despite narrowly missing the postseason last year, the Valor played at a level worthy of a Championship Series qualifier. Given their consistent success in the KCAC over the past two seasons, they’re my pick to win in 2025.
Tabor should not be overlooked. Any team coached by Mike Gardner will be disciplined and competitive. The Blue Jays return seven starters on offense and five on defense from last year’s 6-5 squad. Offensively, Tyson Dozhier (WR), Keegun Beims (OL), and Cam Collier (RB) lead the way. On defense, look for strong contributions from Cam Pair (DB), Caden Seibel (LB), and Dusty Daigel (LB). Tabor is one of those programs that always shows up, and this year’s team could surprise people.
Bethel College enters a new era under Head Coach Josh Lawson, who took the reins last winter. With several months of recruiting and practice under his belt, Lawson is working to establish his vision for Thresher football. As is typical in a transition year, Bethel will likely compete hard but may fall short of contending for a league title or NAIA postseason berth in 2025.
Avila closed 2024 on a three-game winning streak with victories over Sterling and USM. Head Coach Derrick Alexander enters his second year and will aim to improve on last season’s 4-7 record. However, significant progress is needed on both sides of the ball—scoring just 18.9 points per game while allowing 31.5 won’t cut it in the KCAC. Notably, the Eagles lost late leads to both Bethel and Tabor last season. If Avila can learn to finish games, they could take a step forward.
Bethany showed improvement in 2024, finishing 3-8. Head Coach Mike Grossner has a track record of building winning programs and is looking to help the Swedes take the next step. The offense returns five starters, including quarterback Landry Shields. Weapons like wide receiver Ryker Grossner and running back Josiah Hardrick should support the offensive growth. Defensively, only two starters return—Calvin Geans (DT) and Bryan Adams (DT)—but that might not be a bad thing, considering last year’s unit allowed 41.1 points per game. Defensive improvement will lead to more wins in 2025.
Ottawa is the biggest question mark in this division. Coming off a postseason appearance in 2023, the Braves seemed poised to contend again last year—only to finish 1-10. This season, however, they return 19 total starters and bring in a promising recruiting class with key transfers. On paper, Ottawa has the experience and talent to make a run at the conference title. But given how last season played out, they remain a wildcard.
Dannelly’s KCAC Kessinger Division Predictions
- Evangel
- Tabor
- Ottawa
- Bethany
- Avila
- Bethel
KCAC Kessinger Team Profiles
Avila (2024 Record: 4-7)
Head Coach: Derrick Alexander
Offensive Coordinator: Open
Defensive Coordinator: Martin Mathis/Andrew Pence
Special Teams Coordinator: Martin Mathis
Bethany College (2024 Record: 3-8)
Head Coach: Mike Grossner (149-89)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Grossner
Defensive Coordinator: Josh Seybert
Special Teams Coordinator: Staff
Returning Starters on Offense: 5
Key Offensive Returners: Ryker Grossner WR, Josiah Hardrick RB, Ruben Almendarez RT, Lennie Boykin RG, Landry Shields QB
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Michael Young WR, Jacob Madu WR, Logan Kirby LT
Returning Starters on Defense: 2
Key Defensive Returners: Calvin Geans DT, Bryan Adams DT
Key Losses on Defense: Julian Carpenter LB, Khyree Marshall LB, Humphrey Kakuba DL
Key Returners on Special Teams: Triston Vande Velde LS
Key Losses on Special Teams: Jamarie Jackson KR, Malaki Daniels PR, Zeke Mumford P
Key Recruits or Transfers: Niko Karaba OC, James Brown WR, Daniel Smith WR, Donque Williams DB, David Martinez LB, Luis Gonzalez K
Bethel College (KS) (2024 Record: 5-6)
Head Coach: Josh Lawson
Offensive Coordinator: Taggart Brown
Defensive Coordinator: Josh Lawson
Special Teams Coordinator: Josh Lawson
Evangel University (2024 Record: 8-2)
Head Coach: Chuck Hepola (61-33)
Offensive Coordinator: Ryne Strickland
Defensive Coordinator: Jeremy DeSoto
Special Teams Coordinator: Chuck Hepola
Returning Starters on Offense: 9
Key Offensive Returners: Eric Williams – RB, Broc Lyle – WR, Dominic Dawson – OL, Reid Potts – QB,
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: CJ Anoa’i – Offensive Line
Returning Starters on Defense: 6
Key Defensive Returners: Zach Myers – DE, Erik Spring – SAF, Chad Phillips – CB, Jaren Foster – SAF
Key Losses on Defense: Bradley Myers – LB, Riley Childs – LB, Nate Swofford – SAF, Kyair Warner – DE
Key Returners on Special Teams: Drew Ripko, Caleb Higgenbottom, Kyle Cummings
Key Losses on Special Teams: Jonah Edwards, Dawson Mock
Key Recruits or Transfers: Cale Marley – WR, Kayden Sherman – DL, Gunner Ellison – WR (SBU transfer), Salvatore Caldarella – QB (SBU transfer)
Ottawa University (2024 Record: 1-10)
Head Coach: Nicholas Davis (9-24)
Offensive Coordinator: Clarence Anderson
Defensive Coordinator: Nicholas Davis
Special Teams Coordinator: Kyle Kramer
Returning Starters on Offense: 10
Key Offensive Returners: Tackle Donovan Henry, Guard, TJ OSA, RB Jordan Clay, WR D’Antoney Curtis WR Key Long, TE Sean Hurst WR/RN Hagan Johnson
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Center Trevor Koncher
Returning Starters on Defense: 9
Key Defensive Returners: DL Payton Green, DL Teagan Flynn, DL Preston Greenwood, LB Brandon Doles, DB Donovan Martin, DB Christian Obregon, DB Elijah Haan
Key Losses on Defense: LB AJ Hemphill, LB Ethan Fuentes, DL Christian Coggs
Key Returners on Special Teams: Returner D’Anthoney Curtis
Key Losses on Special Teams: K/P Rhett Anderson LS Kalen Kemp
Key Recruits or Transfers: QB Keagan Ray, DL Terrance Spencer, DL Gregory Keaton, RB Jada Andrews, TE Ben Slade, DB Daron Pigram, DB Ethan Gardner, OL David Corney, WR Derek King
Tabor College (2024 Record: 6-5)
Head Coach: Mike Gardner (137-92)
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Roerich
Defensive Coordinator: CJ Hill
Special Teams Coordinator: Armondo Meza
Returning Starters on Offense: 7
Key Offensive Returners: Tyson Dozhier WR, Keegun Beims OL, Cam Collier RB
Key Offensive Losses from 2024: Moises Haynes RB, Ian Quiring OL, Willie Green QB
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
Key Defensive Returners: Cam Pair DB, Caden Seibel LB, Dusty Daigel LB
Key Losses on Defense: Brooks Gardner LB, Jarien Allen DB, Jayton Alexander DB
Key Returners on Special Teams: Broderick Smith P
Key Losses on Special Teams: Nate Heilig K, Brooks Gardner LS
Key Recruits or Transfers: Cale Andree DE, Weston Rock WR, Abram Keim LB, Sam Nordus LB,
This should be a competitive division for sure, could see it coming down to the last game.
There are some very good coaches in this division. Though Evangel should be the favorite this year, almost any of the other squads could take second and have a shot at the post season.