William Jewell College Men's Football

Jason Ambroson was named the 33rd head coach in program history on December 23, 2023 and is in his third season leading the Cardinals in 2026.  • December 23, 2023 | Named Head Football Coach • December 8, 2023 | Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee • August 31, 2024 | First collegiate head coaching win vs. Fort Lewis College (35-20) • Led the Cardinals to the most wins (5) since 2014 and GLVC wins (3) since 2015 in his first season at the helm • Mentored honorable mention All-American Keaundre McCullough who ran for more than 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns • Has coached nine All-GLVC performers and two D2CCA All-Region honorees • Has seen six players earn GLVC Player of the Week honors   • Spent nine years at nearby Smithville High School, going 90-19 overall with a state title in 2021 along with three other semifinal appearances • Served as the offensive, special teams and recruiting coordinator at Jewell from 1997-2000  • Coached two of the top running backs in program history in who combined for more than 5,900 yards in three seasons  • Mentored players to 29 All-Conference honors, one Conference Player of the Year and three All-America selections while on The Hill • Also served as a coordinator at Morningside College and Central Missouri along with a graduate assistant at Iowa State and the University of Kansas, coaching quarterbacks, fullbacks, linebackers and long snappers  • Was the head coach at Moberly High School (Mo.), inheriting a program that averaged less than two wins per year for 50-plus seasons and led a turnaround resulting in five district championships, three conference titles, five state quarterfinal appearances and two undefeated regular seasons  • Won one state championship, eight conference championships and nine district titles at the high school level • Owns numerous personal awards including the 2022 MSHSAA Coach of the Year and Missouri Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year • Named the Dave Bassore Man of the Year by the Greater City Football Coaches Association • 2023 Inductee into the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame      • Earned two letters at quarterback and special teams at Iowa State • A native of Leland, Iowa • Earned an undergraduate degree from Iowa State in 1993 followed by a master's in education from Kansas in 1996 • Married to wife Andrea and two children, daughter Rylee and son Ayden Ambroson Year-by-Year Season Overall Record GLVC Notes 2024 5-6 3-5 2025 3-8 1-7 Total 8-14 4-12  

Corey Bethany enters his third season as the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals in 2025.  • January 15, 2024 | Named Assistant Football Coach • Has mentored six offensive players to All-GLVC honors • Saw running back Keaundre McCullough earn All-America honors after rushing for more than 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 • Oversaw an offense that was fourth in the league with 25.9 points per game (2024) • The Jewell offense averaged 5.65 yards per play in 2025, second most in the NCAA era, scoring 269 points   • Spent four years at Lindenwood University, helping the Lions to a record of 19-13 including their first two seasons at the Division I level • Helped lead Lindenwood to a 2021 Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship  • Mentored running back Robert Giaimo to GLVC Freshman of the Year honors and quarterback Cade Brister to an All-GLVC First Team selection • Served as Director of Recruiting leading the Lions to the 9th ranked class in FCS in 2024 • Served as head coach at St. Mary's High School, going 31-16 overall with an appearance in the state semi-finals and coached All-American Kevin Coleman • Was an assistant coach at Christian Brothers and Lindbergh High Schools for a combined nine years, winning a 2014 state championship with CBC  • Was the head coach of the 2016 River City Raiders of the American Indoor Football League and served as offensive coordinator of three different teams in the IFL  • Started his career with the River City Rage of the United Indoor Football League in 2007 • Played for the Cardinals from 1996-2000 under coaches Sam Brown and Jeff Floyd, as well then-coordinator Jason Ambroson • A native of St. Louis, Missouri • Earned his undergraduate degree in accounting  • Married to wife Brandy and has three children, Jalen who is a former All-GLVC wide receiver for the Cardinals, Mya and Tatum

Mark Faubion returns to The Hill in 2024 after previously coaching for the Cardinals in the early 2000s and is now in his second season as the special teams coordinator. • July 15, 2024 | Named Assistant Football Coach • Assisted with a defense that topped the GLVC with 11 forced fumbles and was third with 21 sacks (2024) • Mentored a special teams unit that was fourth in the GLVC with 11.7 yards per punt return in 2025   • Has spent the last 20-plus years as a standout high school coach in the Kansas City metro with stops at Oak Park and Excelsior Springs • At Excelsior Springs he went 43-38 as a head coach, mentoring multiple All-State performers including Sam Webb who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL • Coached football, wrestling, and track and field at Oak Park  • Joined the William Jewell coaching after college, working with the secondary and special teams • Was promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinator for the Cardinals in 2003 • Completed his collegiate career at Jewell, after transferring from Missouri • He earned three All-Conference honors as a defensive back for the Cardinals • Also a member of the track team for Jewell   • A native of Chillicothe, Missouri • Earned his undergraduate degree from William Jewell in eduction followed by a master's in sports science from the United State Sports Academy  • Married to wife Amy and has two children Hailey and Bo who is a linebacker for the Cardinals

Jack Connelly joined the Cardinal football staff in 2024 and serves as the offensive line coach while overseeing football equipment. • August 15, 2024 | Named Assistant Football Coach • Has mentored three offensive lineman to All-GLVC honors in two seasons  • Assisted with an offense that was third in the GLVC with 25.9 points per game and fifth with 149.4 rushing yards per week   • Spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Arkansas Tech, coaching offensive line • Led an offensive line that helped the team to a ranked of No. 23 in Division II in rushing yards per game, No. 12 in rushing yards per attempt, and No. 11 in fewest sacks allowed   • Was a defensive line graduate assistant for two seasons at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology • Helped Rose-Hulman to the 2021 NCAA playoffs for the second time in school history • Coached a defense that ranked sixth in Division III in tackles for loss • Was a student-assistant at Missouri for two years, working with the offensive line • Was an All-Conference offensive lineman at Kirkwood High School • Led his team to the state semifinals twice and served as a team captain while receiving the Ray Moss Award for outstanding sportsmanship   • A native of Kirkwood, Missouri  • Earned his bachelor's degree in sports management from the University of Missouri  • Completed a master's degree in student affairs at Arkansas Tech in 2024

Steve Wright joins the Cardinals for his first season on the sidelines in 2026. • January 30, 2026 | Named Assistant Football Coach   • Spent six seasons as defensive coordinator at Arkansas Monticello • Was a defensive graduate assistant at Missouri Western, working primarily with cornerbacks • Also spent two seasons as a student assistant at West Texas A&M   • Played collegiately for three seasons at West Texas A&M followed by two at Valley City State University  • A native of Dallas, Texas • Earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics at Valley City State followed by a master's degree in sports & recreation management at Missouri Western • Is married to wife, Amanda, and has two children

Keaton Edwards enters his second season as the defensive ends coach for the Cardinals in 2025.  • July 15, 2024 | Named Assistant Football Coach   • Assisted with a defense that topped the GLVC with 11 forced fumbles and was third with 21 sacks in 2024   • Spent three seasons on the staff at Olivet Nazarene University • Helped mentor 10 All-Conference players, including two Defensive Players of the Year, along with two NAIA All-America First Team performers • Promoted to special teams coordinator in 2023 • Team ranked top-10 on defense, including second in turnovers caused  • Earned three letters at Central Methodist University and earned the Mark Robst Leadership Award • Played at Northwestern High School, winning a conference title in 2014 • A native of Ashland, Ohio • Earned his bachelor's degree in sports management from Central Methodist followed by a master's degree in organizational leadership from Olivet Nazarene  • Married to wife Hannah

Mark Thomas returns to the Cardinal football program after a Hall of Fame career at the high school level. • March 24, 2025 | Named Assistant Football Coach   • Went 100-42 with a 2019 state championship and five other district titles over 12 seasons as head coach at Odessa High School (Mo.) • Won two state championships as the head coach at nearby Kearney High School and another at his alma mater Booneville High School • Was a member of the staff at Central Missouri for eight years from 1988-1995 • Also spent time as the head coach at Belton and an assistant at Jefferson City • Was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 after previously selected to the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2018) and the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2019)  • Was part of the foundation for the success of Jewell football in the early 1980s, suiting up for the Cardinals from 1977-1980 • Went 29-14-1 during his career, with two conference championships and an NAIA playoff appearance • Started his collegiate career at Missouri before transferring to Jewell • Was a first team All-State performer at Booneville High School, winning a 1974 state championship • A native of Booneville, Missouri  • Is an alumnus of William Jewell, with a degree in physical education and social sciences • Completed a master's degree in in athletic training and sport science from Central Missouri

Tore Hurst joins the Cardinals for his first season in 2026. • April 15, 2026 | Named Assistant Football Coach   • Spent six years at Lindenwood University, working with wide receivers • Led the Lions to a 2021 GLVC Championship  • Mentored 10 offensive All-GLVC honorees and qualified for the NCAA-II playoffs   • Played collegiately at Washburn University as a tight end, starting every game over three seasons • Was a All-Super Region selection in 2013 after hauling in 575 yards on 40 catches and seven touchdowns • Was also a two-time All-MIAA honoree • A native of St. Louis, Missouri • Earned a bachelor's degree in sports management from Washburn University in 2015 • Has two children 

January 15, 2024 | Named Assistant Football Coach   Spent four years at Lindenwood University, helping the Lions to a record of 19-13 including their first two seasons at the Division I level Helped lead Lindenwood to a 2021 Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship  Mentored running back Robert Giaimo to GLVC Freshman of the Year honors and quarterback Cade Brister to an All-GLVC First Team selection Served as Director of Recruiting leading the Lions to the 9th ranked class in FCS in 2024 Served as head coach at St. Mary's High School, going 31-16 overall with an appearance in the state semi-finals and coached All-American Kevin Coleman Was an assistant coach at Christian Brothers and Lindbergh High Schools for a combined nine years, winning a 2014 state championship with CBC  Was the head coach of the 2016 River City Raiders of the American Indoor Football League and served as offensive coordinator of three different teams in the IFL  Started his career with the River City Rage of the United Indoor Football League in 2007 Played for the Cardinals from 1996-2000 under coaches Sam Brown and Jeff Floyd, as well then-coordinator Jason Ambroson A native of St. Louis, Missouri Earned his undergraduate degree in accounting  Married to wife Brandy and has three children, Jalen, Mya and Tatum