Kenny Evans became head coach of the Northeastern State RiverHawks football program in 2008 after 28 years as an assistant coach at six other universities. During that span, Evans coached in six Bowl games, two national playoffs, and was part of a coaching staff that won eight conference championships. His ninth conference championship was added last fall as the RiverHawks posted their first winning season in 10 years.

Evans has coached or recruited nine All-American, 11 conference players of the year, over a dozen who have made it into the National Football League, as well as numerous All-Conference players at seven different colleges.

Before taking the NSU job, Evans coached linebackers at Louisiana Tech for Derek Dooley in 2008. In 2005, he was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the Football Foundation while coaching at the University of North Texas on the staff of Darrell Dickey.

While at North Texas, Evans had phenomenal success as the assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator. He helped build that program to its greatest success where the Mean Green won 38 conference games in a row, four conference championships and qualified for four bowl games. During that stretch, Evans' defenses were nationally-ranked in most statistical categories, a feat also accomplished at Missouri Southern and Southeastern Oklahoma.

The Warner, Okla., native and Northeastern State graduate began his coaching career at Miami (Okla.) High School in 1981 before joining the college ranks as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma for Barry Switzer and the Sooners. Afterwards, he followed long-time Sooner offensive coordinator Galen Hall to the University of Florida where he coached wide receivers for the Gators for one year.

His coaching career took him on a 12-year run with the late Jon Lantz to Southeastern Oklahoma and later to Missouri Southern. As defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, Evans helped rebuild both program to national prominence before joining Dickey at North Texas.

"I have been fortunate during my career to be a part of some great programs and great mentors," said Evans, whose father, Pete Evans, was a long-time and successful high school coach.

His experiences at NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II levels infused a wealth of knowledge into the RiverHawks' program upon his arrival on campus. His philosophy is simple -- "Discipline, Organization, Enthusiams and Energy."

Evans is making good on his promise to return Northeastern State to the glory years of the past, exemplified by the 2010 LSC North championship.

"These first three years under my belt have been a cultural changing time for our program," said Evans, "and it has set the foundation for the return of championships as we develop quality student-athletes. I am extremely excited where this program is headed and look forward to seeing us turn the corner with great years ahead of us."

Evans has a 13-year-old son, Elliott, who plays football, basketball and the violin.

The Evans File

Bowl Games Coached (6) -- Fiesta, Orange, New Orleans (4x)

Conference Championships (9) -- Southeastern (SEC), Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), Big 8, Oklahoma Intercollegiate, Sun Belt (4x) & LSC North

Playoff Games Coached (2) -- NCAA Division II, NAIA

Honors -- Football Foundation Assistant Coach of the Year, 2005

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’ defensive line coach and recruiting 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.

Matt Hodgson has worn many hats during his 15 years at Northeastern State. This season he will add to his responsibilities of coordinating the RiverHawks defense. Hodgson also recruits, heads up Academic Monitoring for the football program’s student-athletes and oversees the football letterman’s functions on an annual basis.

After completing his playing career at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and working as a student coach, Hodgson became a graduate assistant coach at Northeastern State in 1996 and was later elevated to a full-time assistant. Hodgson was a part of Tom Eckert’s staff that won Lone Star Conference championships in 1999 and 2000.

Hodgson has been a consistent fixture in the football program and in the community. He was in charge of the secondary and recruiting coordinator in 2008-09, defensive coordinator from 2003-2007, offensive coordinator from 2001-02, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach in 1999-2000. He also is an instructor in the College of Education at NSU.

An avid outdoorsman, Hodgson enjoys fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. Hodgson and wife, Kristy, have three sons, Gage, Wyatt and Tanner.

John Murray begins his second season as an assistant coach for the RiverHawks.

Murray, a 1983 graduate of Afton (Okla.) High School, will coach running backsand also will serve as the strength and conditioning coordinator. He signed at played at Pittsburg State and later transferred to Northeastern State to continue his education. Murray entered the military where he became an instructor and master fitness trainer in the Army during Operation Just Cause and Desert Storm.

Murray brings a wealth of knowledge from life experiences and has been a positive influence in the RiverHawks’ camp. According to head coach Kenny Evans, Murray’s work ethic and stability make him a great strength coach and he has worked to help form NSU’s linebackers into the team’s top performers. He also will coordinate the team’s Habits and Attitude Class.

Murray and wife Tammy, also a Northeastern State grad, have four children: Taylor; Katie; Dylan and Devan.

Greg Richmond is in his second season as an assistant coach on the Northeastern State football staff.

After two seasons as strength & conditioning coach at Oklahoma State, Richmond began the 2010 football year at Oklahoma City's Douglas High School before being hired on by head coach Kenny Evans.

Richmond played linebacker and defensive end for the Cowboys before signing a free agent contract with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. He was a member of the Eagles' developmental teams in 2004 & 2006 and on the injured-reserve list during the 2005 season.

During his collegiate career, Richmond was captain of the 2003 OSU squad, earned First Team All-Big 12 honors and ranks third on the OSU All-Time Sacks list. He also was the Oklahoma Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive MVP of the Oil Bowl as a prep senior.

The Oklahoma State graduate, with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration, will coach the defensive line for the RiverHawks in 2011.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Kenny Evans has announced the hiring of Mike Barela as the newest member of the Northeastern State football staff. Barela will be NSU's offensive line coach and replaces David Morgan who resigned his position in January.

"Mike is a very knowledgeable coach and a tremendous recruiter," said Evans, who announced yesterday the signing of 30 incoming freshmen to National Letters of Intent. "He has coaching experience in NCAA Division I and Division II, as well as in the MIAA. His passion for the game will make us a better offensive football team."

Barela came to NSU from Southwest Baptist (Bolivar, Mo.) where he spent one year as offensive line coach. Previously, Barela was at Texas State from 2007-2011 where he coached tight ends. In addition to his coaching duties, he was director of football operations and held a similar position from 2002-2006 at North Texas, both NCAA Division I schools.

A 1997 North Texas graduate, Barela began his career as a GA for the Mean Green in 1996-1998. He became offensive line coach at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, for one season and moved on to Sam Houston State as tight ends coach from 2000-2002.

The RiverHawks, 7-5 in 2011, earned a berth in the Mineral Water Bowl which is one of only two NCAA Division II bowl games.

Dustin Washburn joins the Northeastern State staff in his first year as the assistant offensive line coach.

Washburn played two years in the Arena Football League. His rookie season was with the West Texas Roughnecks where he helped the team earn a playoff berth, while his second season was spent with the Oklahoma City Brawlers.

The Abilene, Texas, native earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Tarleton State. He was a three-year starter on the offensive line and helped lead the Texans to the 2009 Lone Star Conference South title and the overall LSC championship with a 10-3 record. He was a two-time Honorable Mention All-LSC South selection and was an Academic All-LSC choice his senior season.

As a junior, Washburn was part of TSU's offensive line allowed just 13 sacks during the year. Its offense amassed 187.2 yards rushing, 188.4 yards passing, 25 rushing touchdowns and 14 TD passes.

Coach Graham is in his first year with the Northeastern State football program. He joins the staff as a graduate assistant coaching the tight ends.

Coach Graham played wide receiver/defensive back for Wagoner High School where he graduated in 2005. After high school John attended the University of Arkansas where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education.

During this time he also served as a student assistant for four years with the Razorback football team in which he spent two years under both Houston Nutt and Bobby Petrino. John received his degree in May, 2010 and joined the Riverhawk staff during that summer.

John is currently seeking his Masters Degree in Kinesiology.