Southwestern Oklahoma State University Men's Football

Andrew Rice was named SWOSU's head coach on December 13, 2023 and has steadily kept the Bulldog football program growing ever since. This past fall in 2025, in Rice’s second season at the helm, the Dawgs took yet another step forward, finishing 6-5 for the program’s first winning season since 2015. Prior to his arrival, the Bulldogs had endured two winless seasons in a three-year span. The Bulldogs claimed unofficial Oklahoma State Champion status with a perfect 5-0 record against in-state opponents. The successful season was reflected on the GAC’s all-conference teams, as a program-record 12 players went on to earn All-GAC honors. SWOSU set a new program rushing record, totaling 2,347 yards on the ground as a team in 2025. Against Oklahoma Baptist, the team racked up 388 yards, which matched the Bulldogs’ GAC high dating back to 2011. Senior quarterback MJ Rivers went on to set new program records in completion percentage (65.8%) and passing efficiency (157.3). On defense, SWOSU ranked fifth in the nation by allowing just 157.5 yards per game through the air. Rice and the Bulldogs earned the first win on Homecoming since 2017 when they defeated East Central 38-14 on October 25, and a win in the state of Arkansas for the first time since 2018 with a 49-7 rout of Arkansas-Monticello on November 1. SWOSU closed the season scoring 30 or more points in eight of the final nine games. The program had never seen 30-plus point scoring outputs in eight games in its D2 history until the 2025 season. In his first season leading the Bulldogs, he guided the program to a 3-8 record — a strong turnaround from a winless 0-11 campaign the year before his arrival. The 2024 season was highlighted by a dominant 50-0 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State in the finale, marking the program’s first shutout in more than 20 years. Four Bulldogs earned All-Great American Conference honors under Rice in year one, the most All-GAC selections for SWOSU since 2016. Among them was defensive back Desmond Greene, who became the program’s seventh All-Super Region 3 honoree after leading NCAA Division II in interceptions per game and finishing the year with seven total picks. In 2024, the Dawgs were opportunistic on defense, ranking fourth in Division II in takeaways, 12th in interceptions, and 20th in red zone defense. Within the Great American Conference, SWOSU led the league in takeaways, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and interceptions. Off the field, Rice has emphasized academic and community excellence in Weatherford. The Bulldogs have posted a 3.0 cumulative GPA across the four semesters under his leadership, while the program also logged more than 1,200 hours of community service during the spring of 2024 – an offseason benchmark Rice has said is the standard moving forward. Prior to SWOSU, Rice spent two years as a successful Offensive Coordinator at Southern Arkansas University. An Oklahoma native, he brought a decade of coaching experience throughout the state's high school and collegiate landscapes to Weatherford. He replaced Ruzell McCoy, who served as SWOSU's interim coach for the 2023 season. Rice began his coaching career climbing through the high school ranks with positions at Bixby, Charles Page, and Bartlesville before earning a head coaching role at Miami (OK) High School. He then transitioned to the college game, beginning his collegiate coaching career as the Offensive Coordinator at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO). Rice guided a Norseman offense that finished third in the country in total offense and featured the conference's offensive MVP. NEO finished 8-3, reaching the SWJCFC championship game while also making an appearance in the 2019 Midwest Classic Bowl. Rice then moved to the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), where he served as the Passing Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach and headed the recruitment for the OKC/Tulsa area. From UCO, Rice moved on to Southern Arkansas, where he had the Mulerider offense operating on a national level. SAU was third in NCAA Division II in rushing and fifth in total offense in 2023 after ranking sixth nationally in both rushing and third down conversion percentage a year prior. The Muleriders finished 10-2 in 2023, earning the first postseason win in the program's D2 era with a 43-27 victory over Missouri Western in the Live United Bowl. It was SAU's first double-digit win total in over 70 years, thanks in large part to an offense averaging over 38.5 points and 477 yards per game. Originally from Owasso, Oklahoma, Rice obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education from Northeastern State University in 2012 following a playing career with the RiverHawks where he was a member of NSU's Lone Star Conference North Division Championship team.   The Rice File   Coaching Career 2023-pres.: SWOSU: (Head Coach) 2022-23: Southern Arkansas (Offensive Coordinator / QBs) 2020-21: Central Oklahoma (Passing Game Coordinator / Wide Receivers) 2018-20: Northeastern A&M College (Offensive, Recruiting, Academic Coordinator) 2017-18: Miami HS (Head Coach) 2015-17: Bartlesville HS (Offensive Coordinator) 2013-15: Charles Page HS (Offensive Coordinator) 2012: Bixby HS (Offensive Assistant)   Playing Career Northeastern State       2008-11   Education Northeastern State University       Bachelor of Science Degree in Health & Physical Education, 2012  

Allen joined the SWOSU Football staff in the spring of 2026, bringing extensive Oklahoma-based coaching experience across the junior college, Division II, and Division I levels.   He comes to Weatherford from Oklahoma State, where he spent four seasons as an offensive line analyst for the Cowboys. Before his time in Stillwater, Allen coached for two years at Northeastern State in Tahlequah as the Recruiting Coordinator and Defensive Run Game Coordinator.   Allen also spent more than a decade with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) in Miami, Oklahoma, including a two-year stint as head coach beginning in 2018. During his tenure leading the Golden Norsemen, Allen helped produce 31 all-conference selections and 32 Division I signees. In 2019, he guided NEO to an 8-4 record and an undefeated home season, while the Golden Norse ranked among the national leaders in total offense and multiple other major statistical categories.   He has been recognized nationally for his coaching ability, earning the American Football Coaches Association’s “30 Under 30” honor following the 2016 season and receiving the Merv Johnson Integrity in Coaching Award in 2017. He was also a member of NEO’s Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship teams in 2012 and 2017.   A four-year letterman and starter at Oklahoma State, Allen made 50 career starts for the Cowboys from 2005-08 and was part of three bowl teams. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 2008 and his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University in 2011. Allen and his wife, Sam, have two sons, Cash and Hank.   The Allen File   Coaching Career 2026-present: SWOSU (Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach) 2022-25: Oklahoma State (Offensive Line Analyst) 2020-21: Northeastern State (Recruiting Coordinator / Defensive Run Game Coordinator) 2018-20: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Head Coach) 2014-17: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Defensive Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator) 2010-13: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Defensive Line / Special Teams / Recruiting Coordinator)   Playing Career 2005-08: Oklahoma State   Education Oklahoma State University    Bachelor’s Degree, 2008 Pittsburg State University    Master’s Degree, Educational Leadership, 2011  

Walker joined the SWOSU Football staff in the spring of 2026 and serves as Associate Head Coach while coaching the Bulldogs’ running backs and tight ends. He arrived in Weatherford following the 2025 season at NCAA Division I Arkansas State, where he coached tight ends. Prior to Arkansas State, Walker spent two seasons at Northwestern Oklahoma State from 2023-24, serving as quarterbacks coach and Recruiting Coordinator. He spent the 2022 season at Concord (W.Va.) University coaching wide receivers and tight ends while also serving as Recruiting Coordinator. Walker also gained coaching experience at DeBartolo Sports Academy in 2017, working with eight quarterbacks who went on to compete at the NCAA level. A Jacksonville, Florida native, Walker played quarterback at Midland (Neb.) University from 2020-22. He compiled a 13-2 record as a starter and finished his career ranked among the top three quarterbacks in the Great Plains Athletic Conference in multiple statistical categories. Prior to Midland, Walker earned First Team All-Conference honors at Reedley (Calif.) College, where he helped lead the program to back-to-back conference championships and consecutive bowl appearances, including a bowl victory. He began his collegiate career at Delaware State, where he redshirted during the 2017 season. Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management & Marketing from Midland University in 2022 and his master’s degree in Adult Education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 2024. He is married to his wife, Abigail.   The Walker File   Coaching Career 2026-present: SWOSU 2025: Arkansas State (Assistant Tight Ends) 2023-24: Northwestern Okla. (Quarterbacks / Recruiting) 2022: Concord (Wide Receivers / Tight Ends / Recruiting)   Playing Career Midland University (2020-22) Reedley College (2018-19) Delaware State (2017)   Education Midland University      Sports Management & Marketing, 2022 (bachelor’s) Northwestern Oklahoma State University      Adult Education, 2024 (master’s)  

Marquise Cunningham was elevated to a full-time position on Head Coach Andrew Rice’s staff in the spring of 2025 following two seasons as a graduate assistant at SWOSU. He will continue coaching the Bulldogs’ defensive line in 2026, a position group he has worked with throughout his coaching tenure at SWOSU. Cunningham helped tutor defensive lineman Cameron Guyton to back-to-back All-Great American Conference selections. Guyton earned First Team All-GAC honors in 2025, becoming SWOSU’s first defensive player in a decade to receive first-team recognition. Cunningham has spent six years at SWOSU as both a player and coach. He played for the Bulldogs from 2020-22 before transitioning into a coaching role following the conclusion of his playing career. Cunningham originally came to Weatherford from Los Medanos (Calif.) College, where he earned First Team All-Conference honors on defense. A native of Tracy, California, Cunningham holds two degrees from SWOSU, earning a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in Sports Management. The Cunningham File:   Coaching Career 2025-present: SWOSU (Defensive Line) 2023-24: SWOSU (Assistant D-Line)   Playing Career 2020-22: SWOSU 2018-20: Los Medanos JC   Education Southwestern Oklahoma State University      Exercise Science, 2022 (bachelor’s)      Sports Management, 2025 (master’s)

Aaron Matthews enters his second season on the SWOSU Football staff in 2026, working with the Bulldogs’ secondary. He joined the program in 2025 after gaining coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels in Texas and Arkansas. In his first season at SWOSU, Matthews coached a secondary that helped the Bulldogs rank fifth in NCAA Division II in pass defense, allowing just 157.5 yards per game through the air. SWOSU also recorded 12 interceptions, tied for third most in the GAC. He also helped tutor defensive back Zack Roberts to Second Team All-Great American Conference honors. Prior to SWOSU, Matthews served as Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach at Beaumont United High School (Texas) in 2025. He previously spent two seasons at Del Valle High School (Texas), coaching cornerbacks in 2023 before shifting to inside linebackers and serving as Special Teams Coordinator in 2024. Matthews also gained collegiate coaching experience at Southern Arkansas University, where he coached cornerbacks from 2022-23. His coaching career began at Travis High School (Texas), where he worked with the defensive backs from 2018-19. A native of Fresno, California, Matthews played collegiately at San Joaquin Delta College, earning all-conference honors as a defensive back while serving as a team captain from 2009-11. He later transferred to Texas State University, where he was a two-year letterwinner and defensive team captain. Matthews earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice-Corrections from Texas State in 2014 and a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Sports Administration from Concordia University Texas in 2021.   The Matthews File: Coaching Career 2025-present: SWOSU (Assistant Coach / Secondary) 2025: Beaumont United HS (Defensive Coordinator / Safeties) 2024: Del Valle HS (Inside Linebackers / Special Teams Coordinator) 2023: Del Valle HS (Cornerbacks) 2022–2023: Southern Arkansas (Cornerbacks) 2018–2019: Travis HS (Defensive Backs) Playing Career Texas State University (Defensive Back) — 2011–2014 San Joaquin Delta College (Defensive Back) — 2009–2011 Education Texas State University Criminal Justice–Corrections, 2014 (bachelor’s) Concordia University Austin Education–Sports Administration, 2021 (master’s)

Mike Lucas enters his third season as SWOSU’s Defensive Coordinator in 2026. Six Bulldogs on the defensive side of the ball have earned All-Great American Conference honors during Lucas’ first two seasons. The group includes defensive back Desmond Greene, who became the program’s seventh All-Super Region 3 selection in 2024 after leading NCAA Division II in interceptions per game and finishing the season with seven picks. In 2025, Cameron Guyton became SWOSU’s first defensive player in a decade to earn First Team All-GAC honors. SWOSU’s defense made significant strides in Lucas’ second season, lowering its scoring average from 30.5 points per game in 2024 to 22.4 in 2025. The Bulldogs ranked fourth in the GAC in total defense at 336.7 yards per game and sacks with 24, while tying for third in both interceptions with 12 and forced fumbles with 11. SWOSU was particularly strong against the pass, ranking fifth nationally after allowing just 157.5 passing yards per game. In Lucas’ first season leading the defense in 2024, the Bulldogs established themselves as one of the most opportunistic units in the country. SWOSU ranked fourth in NCAA Division II in takeaways, 12th in interceptions and 20th in red-zone defense. The Bulldogs also led the GAC in takeaways, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and interceptions. Lucas, a veteran coach with 30-plus years of coaching at the NCAA Division I college level, came to Weatherford from Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he spent two seasons as DC for the Riverhawks.   Prior to his time at Northeastern State, Lucas ran the Northwestern State (La.) defense for four seasons.  It was his second stint with the Demons, as Lucas was also Northwestern’s defensive coordinator during the 2014 season. Upon returning to Natchitoches ahead of the 2018 season, the “Purple Swarm” defense tallied 60 turnovers in 29 games. In 41 games under Lucas, Northwestern State forced 90 turnovers.   In addition to producing turnovers at a rapid rate, Lucas’ defense continued its penchant for making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. In just six games in the 2021 spring season, the Demons notched 49.5 tackles for loss, led by eight from second-team All-American linebacker Jomard Valsin. The Purple Swarm also made life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks, racking up 20 sacks in those six games. Twenty-four of those turnovers came in 2019 when Northwestern State led the Southland Conference in passing yards allowed, averaging just 255.9 per game. Northwestern State forced 26 turnovers, a number that ranked 12th nationally and helped NSU record the 13th-best turnover margin in the country at +0.73. The pressure-packed Demons defense also delivered an average of 2.91 sacks per game – ranking 15th nationally.   Lucas returned to Northwestern State after spending the past three seasons at UL Lafayette where he was the defensive coordinator for the better part of the 2016 and 2017 seasons. While with the Ragin’ Cajuns, Lucas’ 2016 defense ranked 23rd among FBS teams in rushing defense (129.2 yards per game) and 43rd in total defense (379.1). Lucas also coached linebackers at UL Lafayette, tutoring a pair of All-Sun Belt selections.     During his previous stop in Natchitoches, Lucas’ 2014 Purple Swarm defense ranked fifth in FCS in takeaways, 30, 11th in turnover margin, +0.83, and 20th in interceptions with 15. From that unit, cornerback Imoan Claiborne was chosen to play in the 66th Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl while he and linebacker Marion Chapman were first-team All-Southland Conference selections. Claiborne and defensive tackle Deon Simon both reached the NFL with Simon beginning his second season with Green Bay in 2019.   Lucas was defensive coordinator at Southeastern for two seasons before moving into the head coaching post on an interim basis for the last three games of 2006, and was head coach from 2007-12, recruiting players who contributed to SLU’s 2013 Southland Conference championship. Under Lucas’ leadership, Southeastern improved its overall record each season from 2006-09 while the Lions, for the first time since their program was restarted in 2003, became highly competitive in the Southland. Southeastern developed a school-record setting offense and a typically tough-to-attack defense guided by Lucas. After missing the final six games of the 2008 season due to a heart valve procedure, Lucas returned to win Louisiana collegiate Coach of the Year honors in 2009.   At Sam Houston as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach under iconic head coach Ron Randleman, Lucas coached the Bearkats among the top 15 in FCS stat categories 11 times, and led the Southland Conference in defense five times. Among school records set under Lucas: 52 sacks in 2001, fewest points per game (13.2) in 1991. His Bearkat defenses produced 65 All-Southland Conference honors by 41 different players, among them seven who signed NFL contracts and two who were NFL Draft picks.   He was defensive coordinator at Eastern New Mexico where his unit led the Lone Star Conference in total defense and scoring defense and ranked third nationally in punt returns. In 1984 he was wide receivers coach at UTEP. From 1980-83, he coached the secondary, defensive line and linebackers, and assisted with strength and conditioning, at Liberty. He began coaching as a defensive student assistant in 1979 at William and Mary.   A two-year letterman at William and Mary, Lucas was a three-year letterman in football at Pemberton (N.J.) High School, where he also lettered in baseball and wrestling.   Lucas earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education and psychology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1982.  Lucas and his wife Wendy have two adult sons, Tyler, a former quarterback and 2009 graduate of Cornell, and Torin, a former catcher on the Southeastern Louisiana baseball team. He and his wife are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren.   The Lucas File:   Coaching Career 2024-present: SWOSU (Defensive Coordinator) 2022-23: Northeastern State (Defensive Coordinator) 2018-21: Northwestern State [La.] (Defensive Coordinator) 2015-17: UL Lafayette (Defensive Coordinator) 2014: Northwestern State [La.] (Defensive Coordinator) 2013: Indiana State (Defensive Line) 2006-11: Southeastern [La.] (Head Coach) 2005: Southeastern [La.] (Defensive Coordinator) 1987-2001: Sam Houston State (Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator) 1985-86: Eastern New Mexico (Defensive Coordinator) 1984: UTEP (Graduate Assistant) 1982-83: Liberty (Defensive Ends) 1980-81: Liberty (Student Assistant) 1979: William & Mary (Student Assistant)   Playing Career     William & Mary, 1977-79                 Education Liberty University     Physical Education and Psychology, 1982

Collin Leyden enters his second season as SWOSU’s Special Teams Coordinator in 2026. He was elevated to the full-time role in 2025 after serving as a graduate assistant on the Bulldogs’ staff for the previous two seasons. SWOSU produced a pair of All-Great American Conference specialists in Leyden’s first season as Special Teams Coordinator. Kicker Ethan McBee earned Second Team All-GAC honors after leading the conference in field goal percentage at 81.8%, while punter Miller Fealy was named Third Team All-GAC after recording a conference-best 80-yard punt and ranking among the league leaders in punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Leyden first joined SWOSU in 2023 as a graduate assistant working with the cornerbacks. He transitioned to coaching the safeties in 2024 before being elevated to Special Teams Coordinator under Head Coach Andrew Rice the following season. A native of Parma, Ohio, Leyden played defensive back at Erie Community College from 2018-20, where he was a two-year letterwinner and team captain. He later transferred to Bluefield State University and played two seasons in the secondary before earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2023. Leyden earned his master’s degree in Sport Management from SWOSU in the spring of 2025. The Leyden File: Coaching Career 2025-present: SWOSU (Special Teams Coordinator) 2024: SWOSU (Graduate Assistant / Safeties) 2023: SWOSU (Graduate Assistant / Cornerbacks) Playing Career Bluefield State University (Defensive Back) — 2021-2023 Erie Community College (Defensive Back) — 2018-2020 Education Bluefield State University     Political Science, 2023 (bachelor’s) Southwestern Oklahoma State University     Sport Management, 2025 (master’s)