Kansas Wesleyan University is pleased to announce the hiring of Matt Drinkall as the 19th coach in the history of the Coyote Football program. Drinkall, who has most recently served as Offensive Coordinator at Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa the last two seasons, succeeds Dave Dallas who resigned last month after leading the Coyotes for 17 years.
Mike Hermann, Kansas Wesleyan Director of Athletics, had this to say about the hiring process and Coach Drinkall – “I was pleased with the interest in the position and the outstanding men that interviewed for the position. Coach Drinkall articulated a great vision for our football program, understanding of the important role of the coach of insuring a great atmosphere for the student-athletes.
“Two of the characteristics that impressed me most when I talked with those that know Matt are his drive toward excellence and his unquestionable character,” Hermann added. “He also has a well-earned reputation as a tireless recruiter and someone that has invested significant time working on the strategy of the game, even starting as early as his undergraduate days at Iowa. It became clear that he has worked diligently at every position to become the best at that job and I’m confident he will do the same as our head coach.”
While at Saint Ambrose, Drinkall directed the Fighting Bees’ offense that ranked No. 4 in the NAIA in scoring offense (44.2 points per game), total offense (505.9 yards per game), passing offense (326.3 yards per game) in 2013, while finishing 7-4 overall and 5-1 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League, behind NAIA National Champion Grand View (Iowa). He helped SAU reached the NAIA Football Championship Series three times (2008, 2012 and 2013). Under his leadership, quarterback Eric Williamson was named the two-time MSFA Conference Player of the Year and set several SAU school records in the process. He was named the MSFA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2011 in a conference that has produced the last three NAIA National Champions.
“The number one thing you can expect from our football team is that we will have smart football players, a physical style of game and our players will be out there having fun,” Drinkall said. “Our players will be proud to be part of the team and will have a blast doing it.”
Drinkall began his career at SAU in 2008 and steadily moved through the offensive coaching ranks, coaching the wide receivers in 2009 and moved to offensive line in 2010. He was named offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Bees in 2012.
Drinkall noted several opportunities that exist at KWU, including Wesleyan’s plans for the new stadium complex slated to open next season, bringing varsity football back to campus for the first time since the 2006 season.
“What’s going on at Kansas Wesleyan is really special right now,” Drinkall said. “The University is concentrating on the three components of what it takes to be a model program in the NAIA – high academic success, successful athletics programs and a positive social environment, both on campus and in the Salina community.”
“The sports complex project is just one of the exciting things on campus, showing that everything at Kansas Wesleyan is moving forward,” he added. “That project along with the positive efforts of the administration will help provide KWU with a huge competitive advantage moving forward.”
Before SAU, he spent two seasons at Western Illinois University as tight ends coach under Don Patterson, who recently accepted a position as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach at the University of Connecticut. While at WIU, he helped develop the Leatherneck offense into one of the top rushing offenses in the country at the time.
He coached three seasons at his alma mater Bettendorf (Iowa) High School before arriving at WIU, where he coached defensive backs and wide receivers, including current Indianapolis Colts linebacker Pat Angerer, and served as a recruiting liaison.
Drinkall also served as a student-coach at the University of Iowa for three years after suffering a career ending injury as a wide receiver for the Hawkeyes.
Drinkall also said his coaching style will reflect what best fits the personnel on the team and that special teams will play an important role in the scheme.
“We will mold what we do around our personnel, whether that be an up tempo offense, or a ball control offense, whatever it is we will use it to our advantage,” he said. “You’ll see different fronts on defense and you will see physical play on both sides of the ball. Our opponents will have to work very hard to earn their points.”
“Special teams will be an important part of what we do as well,” he said. “No other phase of the game can completely change momentum in a game like special teams play can in just a few seconds.”
Drinkall holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois – Quad Cities in Kinesiology (2005) and a Master of Science degree in Recreation Administration (2007) from Western Illinois University. Drinkall prepped at Bettendorf High School where he became one of only two players in program history to have 1000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving.