Jed Stugart

**Jed Stugart** is in his seventh season as the Lindenwood football head coach in 2023. Stugart has been a head coach for 17 seasons and has an all-time record of 124-48.

In its first NCAA Division I season, Stugart guided the Lions to a 7-3 record, including a 4-1 mark inside Hunter Stadium. Lindenwood picked up a thrilling 21-20 road win over Houston Baptist, as they blocked a punt with 28 seconds left, which was recovered in the end zone for a game-winning score. Lindenwood earned another road victory on October 8 in a 52-49 win over Central Arkansas, which was the start of a four-game winning streak. During that stretch, Lindenwood earned its fist win inside conference play after defeating Murray State in week six. The Lions received votes in the FCS weekly poll on three different occasions during the year.

Stugart helped produce one of the most successful quarterbacks in program history. Cade Brister capped off his career as the school's leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and total offense. The O'Fallon, Mo. native holds nearly every passing record, and is the only player in program history to pass for over 10,000 yards in a Lindenwood uniform, while being the only quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in his career. Brister is the only player to be named all-conference by three different leagues. Payton Rose set the all-time mark for receiving yards in a career with 3,366, while hauling in a program best 38 scores across his four-year career and was part of an offense that ranked fourth in NCAA Division I FCS with 509.1 yards per game in 2022.

The Lions accumulated 10 all-conference selections and nine OVC weekly accolades, while Kobe McClendon was named a Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-American after an impressive 2022 campaign. McClendon finished his year with 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and an outstanding five quarterback hurries. On the season, McClendon was tied for top-12 in the OVC with his 3.0 sacks, while his 7.0 tackles for loss ranked 17th. The St. Mary's product ranked second on the team in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hurries.

In 2021, the Lions won their second-consecutive GLVC Championship with another perfect season in league play. Lindenwood closed out the season with a 9-3 record, while going 7-0 in the conference. For the second time in as many season in the GLVC, Stugart was named Coach of the Year. Stugart was joined by Drew Seers (defense), Spencer Redd (special teams), and Robert Giaimo (freshman) as major award winners.

The Lions accumulated 21 all-conference selections, while Seers went on to collect two first-team All-American honors. Seers was also voted as a finalist for the Cliff Harris award, which recognizes the top defensive player in the country. Seers was named the D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Year in his final season with the Lions. Lindenwood earned its second appearance in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs for the second time since joining the NCAA. Academically, the Lions compiled three CoSIDA Academic All-District selections, while two moved on to earn Academic All-American accolades.

In week three of the season, the Lions tied the program record for most rushing touchdowns in a game with eight. Cade Brister ran the ball in five times, which was the most by an individual in 16 years. Lindenwood went into Kirksville, Mo. to upset No. 18 Truman State with the help of three rushing scores from Robert Giaimo. The following week, the Lions earned a win over Quincy with the help of three interceptions from Kai Ross, and a kick return for a touchdown by Spencer Redd. Just two weeks later, Redd returned a punt return for a touchdown for the first time in nine years. Lindenwood capped of the regular season with a win over McKendree, marking 14-consecutive wins for the Lions in the conference.

In the summer of 2020, Lindenwood earned a ranking of No. 13 in the Street and Smith Preseason Poll, while receiving the No. 17 spot in the LINDY'S Sports Preseason Poll. Drew Seers was featured on the College Football American Yearbook Division II Preseason Starting Lineup. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the 2020 season was delayed. On October 6, 2020, the GLVC Council of Presidents voted to move the season into the spring semester, which featured a shortened schedule. On March 18, 2021, the Lindenwood football program opted out of the spring season out of concern for the health and well-being of the student-athletes.

Lindenwood had its best year in the NCAA era during the 2019 season, as the Lions earned a berth in the 2019 NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time in school history. Stugart was named the 2019 GLVC Coach of the Year as the Lions posted a 9-4 overall record, with a perfect 7-0 record in the GLVC to capture the 2019 GLVC Championship. The Lions set four school records over the course of the season, while breaking one game record. Lindenwood rewrote four individual game records and 12 individual season records over the course of 2019.

Lindenwood garnered the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year in Drew Seers and the GLVC Offensive Player of the Year in Cade Brister. Seers was named first-team All-American (Associated Press, AFCA, D2CCA), and second-team All-American (D2Football.com). Brister earned honorable-mention All-American (D2Football.com) recognition and was nominated as a Harlon Hill candidate.

Erik Henneman was named second-team All-American (D2Football.com). Seers was named first-team all-region, while Henneman and Payton Rose each earned second-team all-region honors. Lindenwood tallied nine first-team all-GLVC players, with four second-team all-GLVC members, and two more on the honorable-mention list. The Lions earned GLVC Player of the Week 10 times, splitting five each on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Lindenwood ranked eighth in the country with 303 first downs, while standing ninth in the nation with 301.1 passing yards per game. The Lions ranked 16th in NCAA Division II with a 62.4 completion percentage. Stugart and the Lions closed out the 2019 season ranked No. 25 in the final AFCA Division II Coaches Poll of the year.

Stugart led the Lions to a 5-1 record at home, including upset victories over No. 24 Truman State and No. 8 UIndy. Lindenwood won a thrilling 45-37 road victory over McKendree in the NCAA Division II Football Showcase Game of the Week. The Lions pulled off a come-from-behind victory over Truman State after rattling off 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Lindenwood executed the perfect onside kick, which led to the game-winning touchdown. Lindenwood shocked the conference with a seven-point victory over UIndy, handing the Greyhounds their first conference loss in more than three years. Cade Brister set multiple school records during the game, as he completed 38 passes for 541 yards.

The Lions closed out their home slate against Missouri S&T, sending out its senior class in thrilling fashion. On the final play of regulation, Jordan Perry blocked the field goal attempt by the Miners to send the game into overtime. The Lions scored the lone touchdown in the overtime period, giving Lindenwood its most home victories since the 2011 season.

Stugart and the Lions advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time since joining the NCAA, and proved the doubters wrong. Lindenwood faced No. 5 Ouachita Baptist who stood undefeated on the season. The Lions fought their way to a 41-38 victory over the Tigers, earning their first playoff win since the 2009 season.

In 2018, Stugart led the Lions to 4-7 season with all wins coming on the road. The offense averaged the most plays per game in a single season with 76.0 during the 2018 season. Lindenwood placed 12 players on the all-MIAA football teams, including two first-team honorees. The two first-team selections were the most for Lindenwood since the 2015 season. The Lions had a record-setting game against Missouri Southern in a 51-13 victory in the second game of the season. Lindenwood scored seven touchdowns which tied for second in program history in a single game.

After scoring 42 points in a week three loss, Stugart guided the Lions to their first win over Emporia State in program history with a 48-41 victory. Lindenwood capped off the year with a wild 21-point fourth-quarter comeback victory over Missouri Western. The Lions scored with less than two minutes left in the game on an 11-play 99-yard drive. Lindenwood recovered the ensuing onside kick, and drove down to score the game-winning touchdown with 36 seconds left in the game.

The 2018 season was highlighted by All-American tight end Erik Henneman. Henneman was named first-team All-American by the AFCA, D2CCA, and D2Football.com after hauling in nine touchdowns on 57 receptions for 639 yards. Joining Henneman on the first-team all-MIAA list was senior defensive lineman Jonathan Harris. Harris was named first-team all-MIAA for the second-straight season as he amassed 11.5 tackles for loss and had six sacks in his final season with the Lions. Stugart had 12 Lions earn all-MIAA honors. Following the 2019 NFL Draft, Harris signed a training camp invite deal with the Chicago Bears.

In his first season at Lindenwood, Stugart led the Lions to their best season in five years. Lindenwood won four games, including a road victory at Pittsburg State, one of the toughest places to play in the MIAA. The Lions were also much more competitive in their other games, and they improved their scoring margin by nearly eight points a game.

Statistically, Lindenwood had both its top offensive and defensive numbers since the program's first year in the MIAA. The biggest change Stugart made, though, was improving the program’s culture, and building the blocks for future success, including signing the largest recruiting class during Lindenwood’s NCAA era in 2018.

Stugart coached 13 players that earned all-MIAA honors, the highest mark for the program since Lindenwood joined the MIAA. Among the honorees was Jonathan Harris earning first-team all-MIAA honors on the defensive line.

Stugart was the head football coach at Sioux Falls from 2010-16, and turned the program into one of the top ones in NCAA Division II. In seven seasons, he had a record of 65-17, including a 32-5 mark over the last three years.

In his first season in 2010, Stugart led the Cougars to a conference championship, and the team advanced to the NAIA National Championship game. The program began the transition to the NCAA Division II level after that. Sioux Falls won 20 games over the next three years, including a 9-2 mark in its first season as a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in 2012.

Over his final three seasons at the school, Stugart and Sioux Falls took the next step and became one of the top teams in the country. The Cougars went to the postseason all three years with a victory in the Mineral Water Bowl in 2014 and NCAA Tournament appearances in both 2015 and 2016. Sioux Falls won its first NSIC Championship this past season with a perfect 11-0 regular season mark, and it won its first NCAA Tournament game with a 34-21 first-round win over Azusa Pacific. Stugart was named the NSIC Coach of the Year and a NCAA Regional Coach of the Year after the Cougars finished the regular season in the top-five in the national rankings.

Stugart’s offenses have ranked in the top-25 in the NCAA Division II in scoring and total offense the last three seasons, and they have ranked in the top-20 in scoring defense in two out of the last three years. In 2017, the Cougars ranked third in rushing offense (308.1), seventh in total offense (511.3), 21st in scoring offense (39.0), and 20th in scoring defense (19.6).

During Sioux Falls’ tenure in the NSIC, Stugart produced 73 all-NSIC performers and eight All-Americans. The Cougars had three Academic All-Americans, and 91 members on the Academic All-NSIC team. In 2010, he coached the NAIA Player of the Year, as well as 22 all-conference selections.

He was the head coach at former Lindenwood rival MidAmerica Nazarene from 2006 to 2008. He had a record of 26-7 with MidAmerica Nazarene, along with two postseason appearances and the 2008 HAAC Championship. Stugart was once named the Region 3 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

Stugart has also been an assistant coach at two NCAA Division I programs. In 2009, he was the linebackers coach for UNLV. All three starting linebackers that season finished in the top-20 in the Mountain West Conference in tackles, and the team just missed a bowl bid.

From 1999 to 2005, he was a coach at Northern Colorado. He started by coaching the defensive line and linebackers before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2003. In his first year as coordinator, the Bears defense ranked 16th in the nation in total defense and 13th in scoring defense. Stugart produced three All-Americans at Northern Colorado and was a part of two conference championships and two postseason appearances.

Stugart earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in 1995 and a master’s degree from Northern Colorado in 2003. He earned three letters as a linebacker from Azusa Pacific.

Stugart and his wife, Angie, have a son, Gunner, and a daughter, Gracie.