DCCC hires Ricky Coon as new football coach

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Dodge City Community College Athletic Director Jake Ripple announced the hiring of Ricky Coon as the programs new head football coach. Coon will take over after former Conq coach Gary Thomas resigned in early November.

Coon will come to Dodge City after serving as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Coon has spent the previous five seasons with the Redhawks.

He brings with him to Dodge City 15 years of coaching experience, something that was a big influence in Ripple and the selection committee’s decision to bring him to Dodge City. Coon has previously coached in the Jayhawk Conference as a Defensive Coordinator at Highland from 2007-2008. He also coached at Ellsworth College (Iowa) from 2009-2011. Ellsworth is a team that the Conqs will play next fall.

“This was a huge benefit when we looked at the list of our candidates,” Ripple said. “When you have someone that has experience coaching at different levels and has ties to the the conference itself is extremely beneficial.”

Coon also has ties to Kansas and southwest Kansas in particular. Coon is a native of Wichita and played collegiality at Dodge City in the late 90’s and then graduated from Bethel College in North Newton. Coon then went on to play professionally Arena Football League for the Wichita Stealth (AF2) and Wichita Aviators (APFL).

“We are very excited to have Ricky Coon on board as our next head football coach,” said DCCC Athletic Director Jacob Ripple. “He has an extensive background in coaching and I believe that he is going to be a huge addition to the Dodge City community. He and his family are excited about returning to their Kansas roots.”

Coon has been one of the top assistants in the college football landscape for quite some time. This past season his Redhawks team led the NCAA Division 1 FCS level in both turnovers forced and turnover margin. They were also tied for third in defensive touchdowns scored on the season with six. Coon was a finalist for the NCAA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014. He has been in numerous coaching videos and articles throughout the years for his defensive schemes that have caused a lot of distress on the opposing teams.

Coon will begin his duties as the head coach for the Conqs beginning immediately. He will be on the Dodge City campus the first of the new year and will get to work on acquiring a staff at that point.

Coach Coon is married to his wife, Amanda. They have four children together, Taryn, Zane, Gunner and Bryson.

Coaching Experience