Mike Knoll, a previous head coach and assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level, joined the Northeastern State University football staff as the assistant head coach in January 2010.

Knoll, the former head coach at New Mexico State University and assistant coach on staffs at the University of Tulsa, Iowa State and the University of Miami, also serves as the RiverHawks’ co-defensive coordinator.

Knoll has also coached on the NCAA Division II and NAIA levels and comes to Northeastern State after serving as head football coach at Upper Iowa University (NCAA Division II) for four seasons.

Knoll said he is excited to be on the RiverHawks’ staff and sees great things ahead for the program.

"A lot of what brought me here to Northeastern State was my previous coaching experience in northeastern Oklahoma," said Knoll. "I also saw this as an opportunity to help the football program get better, through recruiting as much as anything else. When I was at TU under (John) Cooper, he said you look for players that are better than you coach. So, it’s all about recruiting and having the opportunity to work with this staff and coach Evans. The timing and opportunity just worked out."

Knoll, who said he is happy to get back to Oklahoma to continue his coaching career, he has noticed a challenge ahead for the RiverHawks entering the 2010 season, but it is one that he and the RiverHawks won’t back away from this fall.

"My last stop was at Upper Iowa University," said Knoll. "I was born and raised in Iowa and I always said it was a good place to be from, not at. This area (northeastern Oklahoma) is a special place and it’s good to be back.

"I consider this area to be as much home to me as anywhere I’ve ever been. I see a bright future for Northeastern State football and what we are going to experience."

Knoll has two daughters, Katie, who is married to Andrew Mott, and Sarah.