The world of NAIA Football football is not immune to changes at the head coaching position. Here’s a look at the changes in NAIA Football to date. We will update as more happen.
Avila University (Mo.) parted ways with Derrick Alexander at the end of the season. They have hired Ed Warinner, who most recently was on staff at NAIA St. Thomas University (Fla.). Warinner has been in college football a long time and was offensive coordinator for Ohio State at one point.
Arizona Christian University announced the resignation of Head Football Coach Jeff Bowen in December, following a successful 12-year tenure at ACU, including serving as head coach for the last 10 years and leading the Firestorm to three conference championships and two national championship series playoff appearances. No replacement has been named as of yet.
Bismarck State College (ND) named their first head coach as they relaunch football at the NAIA level. Chris Stutzreim takes over who was recently head coach at Rocky Mountain.
Eastern Oregon head coach Tim Camp resigned shortly after the end of the 2025 season. No replacement has been named as of yet. Defensive Coordinator Solo Taylor will serve as interim head coach
Langston University (Okla.) head coach Quinton Morgan resigned at the end of the season. No replacement has been named as of yet.
Peru State (Neb.) announced at the end of the season that Phil Ockinga’s contract would not be renewed. Sean Wilkerson was named head coach of the Bobcats after being defensive coordinator under Ockinga. Before arriving at Peru State, he coached linebackers at Butler Community College from August 2020 to July 2022.
Missouri Baptist head coach Jason Burianek resigned at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The Spartans promoted Marc Lillibridge to the head coach position. He takes the reins of the program after serving as linebackers coach at Missouri Baptist during the 2025 season. Lillibridge most recently served as General Manager and Director of Player Personnel in the XFL/UFL from 2022-25. He was the Director of Player Personnel for the Houston Roughnecks during the 2023 XFL season, helping assemble a roster that won the South Division with a 7-3 overall record and a 6-0 mark in divisional play. In 2024, following the merger of the XFL and USFL, he was named General Manager of the San Antonio Brahmas, leading the team to an XFL Division championship, a playoff victory, and a runner-up finish in the UFL Championship Game
Rocky Mountain head coach Chris Stutzreim resigned to take the Bismarck State head coach position. No replacement has been named as of yet.
Simpson University Head Coach Shawn Daniel resigned in December. Shawn Utter was elevated to the head coach position with the Red Hawks. Prior to joining Simpson University, Utter spent 13 seasons coaching at Lincoln County High School in Montana. Utter played football at the University of Montana from 1994–1998
Southeastern (Fla.) head coach Adam Waugh resigned at the conclusion of the Fire’s postseason run, citing health concerns. No replacement has been named as of yet.
The University of Rio Grande (Ohio) announced former Marshall University standout and 13-year National Football League veteran Mike Bartrum has been named the new head football coach for the Red Storm. Bartrum replaces Mark Thurston, who was relieved of his duties as the program’s head coach in December. Recently, Bartrum was at Marshall University as a senior analyst and special assistant to the head coach
Waldorf University (Iowa) head coach Tyler Chapa resigned at the end of the season. They have named David Calloway as their new head coach. He served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Missouri Valley College. Coach Calloway led the Central Methodist University football team as head coach from 2015-2023
