Emporia State University Men's Football

Former Hornet Garin Higgins is in his 19th year and 18th season on the field as the Hornets head coach in 2024. His 113-84 record ranks second in career wins at Emporia State behind stadium namesake Fran Welch. Higgins is the fifth winningest coach in MIAA history and the second winningest active coach in the league. Introduced as the 22nd head football coach in Emporia State history on December 14, 2006, Higgins set out to turn around a program that had gone 12-20 during the 2004 to 2006 seasons.  The Hornets had one of the best turnarounds in the country in 2012, improving by five wins over the previous year’s 5-6 record and finishing in second place in the rugged MIAA. The offense set several school records in 2012 as the Hornets racked up ten wins for the first time since 1989, when Higgins suited up as a quarterback for the Hornets. Higgins has led the Hornet football program to an 94-48 record since 2012, compiling an impressive list of accomplishments and milestones along the way in the very rugged MIAA conference: • He has taken his alma mater to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2013, 2015 and 2016, winning three playoff games.  • In 2015, the Hornets defeated both Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champion Minnesota State – Mankato and Great American Conference champion Henderson State on the road to advance to the NCAA Super Region-3 championship. • In 2016, the Hornets defeated Minnesota – Duluth 59-26 in Welch Stadium for the first NCAA Division II home playoff win in program history. • He has led the Hornets to five postseason bowl games, going 4-1, including a 55-24 win over Southern Nazarene in the 2023 Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl and a 48-27 win over Southeastern Oklahoma in the 2022 Live United Bowl. • He is the first coach in program history to win at least ten games in a season more than once, accomplishing the feat in 2012, 2015 and 2016. He accomplished this with three different quarterbacks. • He has six seasons with nine or more wins in his 16 seasons which is more than the previous 21 Hornet head coaches have had in 127 seasons combined. • He has coached in (11) and won (7) more post season games than any other football coach in Emporia State history. • The 2010’s were the most successful decade in Emporia State history. The 73 wins between 2010 – 2019 the most in a decade by 16 wins. • He has coached 224 All-MIAA players, including two offensive players of the year, a special teams player of the year and a freshman of the year. The 224 honorees include 38 first-team, 42 second-team, 27 third-team and 117 honorable mention selections and consist of 103 offensive players, 100 defensive players and 21 special teams players. • He has coached 21 All-Americans, including five first-team selections, five second-team selections, a third-team selection and ten honorable mention honorees. • He has coached 13 College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans. • As the quarterbacks position coach, Higgins has coached four Harlon Hill nominated quarterbacks. Tyler Eckenrode was nominated in 2012. Brent Wilson was nominated in 2015, was a finalist and finished 4th in the voting.  Braxton Marstall was nominated in 2016.  Braden Gleason was nominated in 2023, was a finalist and finished 7th in the voting.  Collectively, these four quarterbacks started 141 games, completed 3,293 passes in 5,122 attempts (64.3%) for 38,088 yards (21.64 miles) and 346 touchdowns during their Hornet careers.  On the ground, they rushed 1,226 times for 3,786 yards and 50 touchdowns. • He has coached six Hornet players that have gone on to opportunities in the NFL. After playing linebacker in 2011 and 2012, Jeff Richards moved on to a career in the NFL and CFL as a defensive back from 2015 to 2022. Defensive lineman Harold Ayodele appeared in preseason games with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011. Tight end Adam Schiltz appeared in preseason games with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.  Defensive back Chris Poston was in New York Jets training camp in 2014. Wide receiver Austin Willis was in Oakland Raiders training camp and appeared in preseason games with the Buffalo Bills in 2015. Defensive lineman Eddie Vinson was in Chicago Bears training camp in 2017. • His players and teams have rewritten the Hornet football record book. His players hold a stunning 34 individual school records to go with three team records. Not to be overlooked by the on-field accomplishments, Higgins players have excelled in the classroom and in the community as well: • 333 of Higgins’ players have earned a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State. • The team G.P.A. has exceeded 3.0 for ten consecutive semesters dating back to the spring semester of 2020. • In the last five years, 215 of Higgins’ players have achieved MIAA Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. • For each of the last four years, the Hornet football team has put in over 1,500 hours of community service.  In 2021, the Hornet football program led all NCAA Division II football programs in community service hours. Prior to becoming head coach at Emporia State, Higgins served as the offensive coordinator at Northeastern State University of the Lone Star Conference in the 2006 season. Northeastern State was 3-2 in the Lone Star, their first winning conference record since 2000. In 2005, Higgins served as the co-offensive coordinator at NCAA Division II member Minnesota State – Mankato in 2005. From 2000 to 2004, Higgins compiled a 51-9 record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. During this period, the Rangers won five consecutive Central States Football League championships, qualified for the NAIA playoffs five consecutive seasons and had three national title game appearances. Higgins was also named the Central States Football League Coach of the Year five straight years. His .857 winning percentage from 2000 to 2004 is the highest in Northwestern Oklahoma State history. Higgins was inducted into the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. Before being promoted to head coach, Higgins was the offensive coordinator at Northwestern Oklahoma State from 1997 to 1999 and the running backs and quarterbacks coach from 1994 to 1996. Higgins’ offense averaged over 42 points per game from 1999-2003 and his rushing offense led the nation in 1999 and 2000. The Rangers won 31 consecutive games from October 1998 through December 2000. Higgins coached six players at Northwestern Oklahoma State that went on to play in the NFL:  • Ron Moore was a defensive lineman that was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 7th round of the 2000 NFL draft.  He also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders from 2000 to 2004. • Dustin Loveless was a defensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers in 2000. • Lynn Scott was a defensive back with the Dallas Cowboys from 2001 to 2005. • Brandon Christensen was a tight end with the Oakland Raiders in 2002. • Sam Breeden was a wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers in 2004 and 2005. • Patrick Crayton was a wide receiver that was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 7th round of the 2004 NFL draft.  Crayton played for the Cowboys from 2004 to 2009 and the San Diego Chargers in 2010 and 2011. Higgins got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1992 and 1993 where he earned his master’s degree. A native of Blackwell, Oklahoma where he was an all-state quarterback, Higgins earned his undergraduate degree at Emporia State in 1992 where he was a four-year letterman for the Hornets and helped lead the team to a national runner-up finish in 1989. He has been involved with four teams that have played for or won national championships as a player, coordinator or head coach. Higgins and his wife Heather, a 1995 graduate of Emporia State, have three adult children - son Halen who is married to daughter in-law Brooklyn and daughters Harlee and Gracyn. THE HIGGINS FILE Coaching Career 2024 Head Coach - Emporia State 7-4 2023 Head Coach – Emporia State 9-3@ 2022 Head Coach – Emporia State 9-3& 2021 Head Coach – Emporia State 6-6~ 2020 Head Coach – Emporia State (No Games COVID) 2019 Head Coach - Emporia State 4-7 2018 Head Coach - Emporia State 8-4^ 2017 Head Coach - Emporia State 6-5 2016 Head Coach - Emporia State 11-2$ 2015 Head Coach - Emporia State 11-3$ 2014 Head Coach - Emporia State 4-7 2013 Head Coach - Emporia State 9-2$ 2012 Head Coach - Emporia State 10-2% 2011 Head Coach - Emporia State 5-6 2010 Head Coach - Emporia State 5-6 2009 Head Coach - Emporia State 2-9 2008 Head Coach - Emporia State 4-7 2007 Head Coach - Emporia State 3-8 2006 Offensive Coordinator - Northeastern State 4-6 2005 Co-Offensive Coordinator - Minnesota State 2-9 2004 Head Coach - Northwestern Oklahoma State 9-2* 2003 Head Coach - Northwestern Oklahoma State 11-2# 2002 Head Coach - Northwestern Oklahoma State 11-1* 2001 Head Coach - Northwestern Oklahoma State 7-3* 2000 Head Coach - Northwestern Oklahoma State 13-1# 1999 Offensive Coordinator – Northwestern Oklahoma State 13-0! 1998 Offensive Coordinator – Northwestern Oklahoma State 7-3 1997 Offensive Coordinator – Northwestern Oklahoma State 5-5 1996 RB/QB Coach - NWOSU 8-3* 1995 RB/QB Coach - NWOSU 5-5 1994 RB/QB Coach - NWOSU 1-9 1993 Grad. Asst. - Northeastern State 7-3 1992 Grad. Asst. - Northeastern State 5-5 Playing Career 1990 Quarterback - Emporia State 6-4 1989 Quarterback - Emporia State 11-2# 1988 Quarterback - Emporia State 8-3* 1987 Quarterback - Emporia State 7-4* $NCAA Division II Playoffs @Heritage Bowl Champion &Live United Bowl Champion ~Live United Bowl ^Corsicana Bowl Champion %Kanza Bowl Champion !NAIA National Champion #NAIA National Runners-up *NAIA Playoffs

LoPorto will begin his seventh season with the Emporia State football program in 2016. Since joining the coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2009, LoPorto began serving as the defensive line coach in 2010 and became the co-defensive coordinator in 2012. Since his arrival to the coaching staff, the Hornets defense has forced 184 takeaways. In that time, the defensive line has garnered 88 sacks, 178 tackles for loss, and 106 defensive hurries. In 2015, coach Loportos defensive line had a standout season anchored by senior James Junious and the junior year performance of Eddie Vinson. Vinson earned third-team All-MIAA honors after totalling 49 tackles with eight for loss and four sacks. Junious racked up 26 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. In addition, Donovan Walker and DeAndre Glover matched each other with 21 tackles each. An active season for the Hornet defense, in 2015 they ranked top ten in the country with 32 takeaways, 103 tackles for loss, and 40 sacks. Their sack total was the second most in one season in the programs history. The Hornet defense has produced 29 All-MIAA defensive players since 2012. ESU ranked fifth in the nation in 2011 in takeaways, forcing 37. In 2012, their 34 takeaways ranked in the top 15 nationally. Loporto has coached 10 All-MIAA defensive linemen. In 2010, Loporto coached Danny Webb, Emporia States first AFCA All-American since 2003 and the first defensive lineman to earn first-team All-American honors by any organization since John Lohmeyer in 1972. Through the 2010 and 2011 season, coach Loporto oversaw a career that earned defensive linemen Herold Ayodele a trip to the Kansas City Chiefs training camp. He joined the coaching staff after playing with the Hornets for three seasons. LoPorto played in 25 games from the linebacker position during an injury plagued career for Emporia State. He had a sack and five tackles against Northwest Missouri State during his sophomore season. A 2004 graduate of Blue Springs South HS he earned first-team All-State All-Suburban Big 8 Conference honors as a senior. Mike LoPorto will begin his seventh season with the Emporia State football program in 2016. Since joining the coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2009, LoPorto began serving as the defensive line coach in 2010 and became the co-defensive coordinator in 2012.

Goodman Daniel Goodman is in his second season with the football program as a graduate assistant and coaching the tight ends. In 2015, he worked to develop an offensive tight end corp that helped the Hornets advance to the Super Region 3 Championship Game, the furthest run Emporia State has made in the Division ll playoffs in school history. Prior to joining the coaching staff, Goodman played for the Hornets at center, earning All-MIAA honors his junior year. En route to his athletic career as a Hornet, Goodman earned First-Team All-State Class 5A selection by the Kansas Football Coaches Association and First-Team All-Centennial League performer at Emporia High School. He graduated from Emporia State in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.  Daniel Goodman is in his second season with the football program as a graduate assistant and coaching the tight ends. In 2015, he worked to develop an offensive tight end corp that helped the Hornets advance to the Super Region 3 Championship Game, the furthest run Emporia State has made in the Division ll playoffs in school history. Prior to joining the coaching staff, Goodman played for the Hornets at center, earning All-MIAA honors his junior year. En route to his athletic career as a Hornet, Goodman earned First-Team All-State Class 5A selection by the Kansas Football Coaches Association and First-Team All-Centennial League performer at Emporia High School. He graduated from Emporia State in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. 

Coach Cade Harelson is in his second year on the Hornet coaching staff as linebackers coach.    In his first season on the Hornet coaching staff, Harelson coached Chance Rodriguez to All-MIAA Third Team honors in 2023.   As a student athlete, Harelson was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Hornets from 2017 to 2022.  In 43 games, Harelson recorded 214 total tackles.  Harelson earned All-MIAA honorable mention honors in 2021 and was selected MVP of the Hornets 48-27 win over Southeastern Oklahoma in the 2022 Live United Bowl.      Harelson graduated from Emporia State in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance and a minor in coaching.  Harelson earned a master’s degree from Emporia State in health, physical education and coaching in 2023.   Harelson and his wife Tori are expecting their first child.    

Braden Gleason, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Hornet history exchanges his cleats for a headset and clipboard, becomes coach Braden Gleason and will coach the Hornet quarterbacks in 2024.   Gleason will impart to the Hornet quarterbacks all that he learned in 38 starts spanning the 2019 to 2023 seasons during which he amassed:  1,594 Pass Attempts 1,091 Completions 68.4% Completion % 11,530 Passing Yards 115 Touchdown Passes 265 Rushing Attempts 1,024 Rushing Yards 14 Rushing Touchdowns 12,553 Yards of Total Offense 782 Points Responsible For Upon completion of his playing career, Gleason held 11 Emporia State and 5 MIAA records.   In leading the Hornets to a 26-12 record, Gleason became one of the most decorated Hornet players of all time: Three-time All-MIAA selection in 2021 (third team), 2022 (second team) and 2023 (first team) 2022 and 2023 honorable mention Don Hansen All-American recognition 2023 Harlon Hill finalist 2023 D2Football.com Elite 100 Team 2023 Steve Henry Award recipient 2022 and 2023 team captain Gleason earned a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and recreation (HPER) from Emporia State in 2022 and a master’s degree in HPER from Emporia State in 2024.   Gleason is engaged to Brinley Teague.          

Coach Bryce Chavis joins the Hornet coaching staff for the 2024 season and will coach the receivers.   Chavis comes to Emporia State from McPherson College where he coached from 2020 to 2023.  Chavis coached running backs in 2020 before being promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2021 to 2023 seasons.  Chavis also served as Co-Special Team Coordinator.  During his tenure at McPherson, Chavis helped lead McPherson to its first winning season in ten years and coached fifteen players to all conference honors and one to an NAIA All-American selection. Chavis began his coaching career at his alma mater, Washburn where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2017 through 2019 seasons.  During his tenure, Chavis coached receivers and running backs and   coached four players to All-MIAA honors and one player to an All-American selection. As a student athlete, Chavis attended Butler County Community College where he was a member of a conference championship team in 2103.  Chavis finished his playing career at Washburn where he earned All-MIAA recognition 2015 and 2016. Chavis earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a master’s degree in business administration from Washburn.   Chavis and his wife Shambrey reside in Emporia.  

Blake Stone is in his first season with Emporia State as the running backs/Stingers back coach.   Stone served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at NCAA Division II Gannon of the PSAC after spending the 2023 season as the offensive line coach at Division I Presbyterian. He mentored three offensive linemen who earned All-Pioneer League honorable mention honors. Stone originally joined the Gannon staff in 2021 as the defensive line coach then moved over to coach the offensive line in 2022. While the Golden Knights finished with an 8-3 record, he produced a pair of All-PSAC West performers on the offensive line that helped Gannon average 31.6 ppg. and 407.2 yards in total offense. The Golden Knights ranked fourth in scoring offense and third in total offense in the PSAC. While on defense he coached a Don Hansen All-American andfirst team All-PSAC West honoree. Stone spent two years on the staff at Middle Tennessee State. He served as a quality control coach in 2019, followed by a year as a defensive graduate assistant in 2020.   Stone played on the offensive line at Charleston Southern and later Florida Tech. He started 11 of 13 games at offensive guard at Charleston Southern in 2013, grading out at 84 percent and totaling 32 knockdowns. He was part of a unit that enabled CSU to lead the country in average time of possession, while ranking 17th in rushing offense. He played in eight games on the offensive line in 2012. He completed his playing career at Florida Tech. In 2015 he was a USA College Football All-American and earned second team All-Gulf South Conference honors. He also served as a long snapper, playing in 11 games in his final season in 2017. He was part of a Florida Tech team that earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2016. After completing his studies at Florida Tech, Stone was the offensive line and tight ends coach at Edward H. White High School in his home town of Jacksonville, Fla. while also in charge of strength and conditioning. Stone earned his bachelor's degree in Humanities with a focus in Philosophy from Florida Institute of Technology in 2018.  

Trip Shannon is in his second year as Director of Football Operations/Alumni Relations. In this capacity, Shannon supports the Hornet coaching staff and players by planning and managing: • Operating budget • Travel • Equipment • Procurement and contracts • Non-conference scheduling • Team and recruiting events • Relationships with other departments on campus • Alumni relationships, events and activities Shannon joined the Hornet football program full-time in August 2023 after serving in a volunteer capacity since 2018. Shannon was a four-year letterman for head coaches Bob Seaman and Larry Kramer from 1981 to 1984 and was a captain on the 1984 team.  Shannon earned honorable mention all-conference and academic all-conference honors in 1984. Shannon coached tight ends as a student assistant in 1985 before embarking on a 35-year business career. Shannon is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Emporia State University Foundation. Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Emporia State in 1985 and passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination in 1986. Shannon and his wife Kim, also an Emporia State graduate, have two adult daughters, Caroline and Natalie.

Coach Vince Cashdollar is in his fifth year as a Hornet and fourth season as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. In the last three seasons in the ultra-competitive MIAA, coach Cashdollar helped coordinate a Hornet offense that: Made back-to-back-to-back bowl appearances (including wins in the 2022 Live United Bowl and the 2023 Heritage Bowl) Averaged 35.3 points a game, including 40.7 points a game in 2023. Averaged 452.9 yards of total offense per game, including 497.4 yards per game in 2023. Produced six All-Americans and 29 All-MIAA selections. Set five new team and 13 new individual Hornet school offensive records. Ranked in the NCAA D2 top 25 in seven different team and 12 different individual statistical categories in 2023. Coach Cashdollar will also continue his work with the offensive line in 2024.  In the last three seasons, three Hornet offensive linemen have received All-American honors while 12 Hornet offensive lineman have been named All-MIAA.  In 2023, guard Sherman Deaton was an honorable mention Don Hansen All-American.  Tackle Xavier Cason was named a Second Team AFCA All-American in 2022 while being named to the D2football.com “Elite 100” list.  Also in 2022, center Conner Lierz was an honorable mention Don Hansen All-American while being the only MIAA offensive lineman selected All Region 3 by the D2CCA.  Lierz was also a Gene Upshaw Award nominee for the best lineman in D2.  Lierz participated in the MIAA NFL pro day as well as the Dream Bowl after his senior season while Cason attended the College Gridiron Showcase.  Prior to coming to Emporia State, coach Cashdollar spent the previous seven seasons at NCAA Division III Manchester University in Indiana.  He was the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for all seven years, became the offensive coordinator in 2016 and was quarterbacks coach in 2019.  Coach Cashdollar’s offensive linemen earned 21 All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honors athletically and academically.  During his tenure, the MU Spartan offense rewrote the school record books with 31 offensive school records.  In his four seasons as the offensive coordinator, coach Cashdollar developed 18 All-HCAC honorees. In 2019, senior running back Donavan Henderson, Jr. rewrote the Manchester record books.  Henderson, a D3Football.com All-North Region honoree, finished second in the nation in rushing (1,703 yards) and rushing TDs (20).  Henderson ran for a school record 394 yards against Anderson and tied an NCAA record with eight rushing TDs against the Ravens.  Henderson's record day earned him a spot on the D3Football.com National Team of the Week (11/16/19).  Henderson ended his Black & Gold career as the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,969 yards and his 53 rushing TDs are the most in school history. In 2018, Henderson led the HCAC after rushing for 1,268 yards and 17 TDs; the Spartans’ rushing offense finished third in school history with 1,940 yards on the season, while finishing tied for first in all of NCAA Division III in least tackles for loss allowed per game.  Coach Cashdollar also helped All-American wide receiver Dakota Nelson finish his MU career as the school record holder for receiving yards in a season (1,116 – 2017) and total career touchdowns (34).  Nelson worked out for the NFL at Ball State’s Pro Scouting Day in 2018.  The Manchester offense has also had three consecutive seasons with a National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, honoring both academic and athletic excellence during coach Cashdollar’s tenure. Prior to his time at Manchester, coach Cashdollar spent three years on the football staff at West Virginia University.  During his time in Morgantown, coach Cashdollar served as the offensive graduate assistant coach working with the offensive line and tight ends.  Coach Cashdollar helped the Mountaineer offense to two new school records, win two Co-Big East Championships, and play in three bowl games, while working with five future NFL offensive linemen.  He was a member of WVU’s Discover Orange Bowl Championship coaching staff in 2012 that set the NCAA record for points in a bowl game with 70. Coach Cashdollar’s first coaching stint came at Ohio University where he served as a volunteer graduate assistant and offensive quality control coach.  In 2009, the Bobcats won the MAC East Division, appeared in the MAC Championship game, and played in the Little Caesar’s Bowl. As a student athlete, coach Cashdollar was a four-year standout and two-time captain for NCAA Division II Ashland University in Ohio.  He helped the Eagles to the NCAA Division II playoffs in his senior campaign and earned a stockpile of honors during his career: First Team Division II American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American honors in 2007 Ashland University's Male Athlete of the Year in 2007 Cactus Bowl participant in 2007 First Team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) pick in 2006 and 2007 GLIAC Commissioners’ Award for academic and athletic excellence in 2007 National Football Foundation post-graduate scholarship award winner in 2007 After this illustrious career, coach Cashdollar was inducted into the Ashland University athletic hall of fame in 2018. Coach Cashdollar graduated from Ashland in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in 7-12 language arts and a minor in coaching.  He earned master’s degrees from West Virginia University in athletic coaching education and Ohio University in curriculum and instruction in education.   Coach Cashdollar works extensively in coaching professional development.  He was a 2021 selection to the NFL/NCAA coaches’ academy and has done extensive work for the AFCA including speaking at the national convention, writing for the coaching summer manual, and speaking on the “Inside the Headset Podcast”.  Coach Cashdollar has also been a regional Glazier clinic speaker along with multiple regional, state and high school association clinics. Cashdollar and his wife Corey are the parents of a daughter, Syndey.  

Coach Jace McDown is in his third year on the Hornet coaching staff.  As he did in 2023, McDown will once again serve as the Co-Defensive Coordinator and coach the defensive backs in 2024.  In 2022, McDown coached the linebackers.   In 2023, McDown coached Jaaron Joseph and Montrell Wilson to All-MIAA Second Team honors and saw his defensive backs intercept 12 passes.   In 2022, McDown coached outside linebacker Dawson Hammes to All-MIAA First Team and All Super Region 3 Second Team honors.   As a student athlete, McDown was a four-year letterman and three-year team captain as a linebacker for the Hornets from 2016 to 2021.  McDown finished his career as the fifth leading tackler in Hornet history with a total of 311 stops.  McDown’s 37.5 tackles for loss rank eighth all-time.  McDown stockpiled numerous awards for his play on the field, performance in the classroom and involvement on campus and in the community: All-MIAA First Team recognition in 2019 and 2021 after earning All-MIAA Second Team team honors in 2018 Honorable mention Don Hansen All-American honors in 2019 and 2021 Three-time CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition, earning first team honors in 2020 and second team honors in 2019 and 2021 2020 semifinalist for the prestigious National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy, widely considered to be the “Academic Heisman” 2019 MIAA Fall Male Athlete of the Year 2019 Emporia State Male Athlete of the Year 2021 finalist for the MIAA Ken B. Jones Award Recipient of the inaugural Steve Henry Award in 2021 McDown graduated from Emporia State in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance and a minor in coaching.  McDown is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).   McDown and his wife Olivia are expecting their first child.