MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head football coach Rich Wright has announced the hiring of Mike Cunningham to the coaching staff for the 2017 season. Cunningham will serve as the Bearcats’ offensive line coach after spending the past two seasons at Winona State University as the Warrior’s run game coordinator and offensive line coach.
“I am very excited to join coach Wright and his staff at Northwest,” said Cunningham. “I am looking forward to helping build on the success that Northwest has achieved over the years.”
While on staff, Winona State went 5-6 during the 2015 season and improved to 8-3 last year. In his first season in 2015, the Warriors allowed just 19 sacks, half of the 38 allowed the year prior to his arrival. In 2016, Winona State ran for 21 rushing touchdowns, surpassing the 13 scores in both 2015 and 2014. The team averaged 160.8 rushing yards per game, an improvement of nearly 37 yards per contest and gained 28 more first downs on the ground.
Prior to his time at Winona State, Cunningham worked with Nebraska football as an offensive staff assistant. He helped with game planning and scouting reports for the Huskers in 2014. In 2013 he served as the offensive line coach at the University of North Dakota. From 2006-12 he was the offensive line coach and running game coordinator at Minnesota State. He was also Concordia-St. Paul’s offensive line coach during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Cunningham graduated from New Mexico State University in 2001 where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Family Sciences. He is married to his wife, Andrea, and the couple has three children, Trevin, Alyssa and Alex.
— Northwest Athletics —
