CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Former Southeast Missouri starting quarterback Jeromy McDowell was hired as the Redhawks offensive coordinator, head football coach Tom Matukewicz announced Tuesday.
 
McDowell returns to Southeast after working the last four years at NCAA Division II Colorado Mesa. He spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons as the Mavericks offensive coordinator.
 
McDowell was on the Colorado Mesa staff with Russ Martin, Mike Chavez and Willie Ponder. Martin was the offensive coordinator, Chavez was offensive line coach and Ponder was a star wide receiver when McDowell played quarterback at Southeast.
 
"I really wanted to bring in a proven coordinator and Jeromy not only was proven but had national success at Colorado Mesa," said Matukewicz. "I loved the fact that he was a Redhawk and played quarterback at a high level. I can't wait to see the impact he has on our offense."
 
In 2017, McDowell led a Colorado Mesa offense that ranked second in the nation in scoring with 46.4 points per game. The Mavericks also finished seventh nationally in rushing offense (257.8 ypg) and eighth in total offense (489.3 ypg). Colorado Mesa compiled an overall record of 9-2 and 9-1 in conference play en route to its third-consecutive Rocky Mountain Conference title. The Mavericks went a combined 27-7 overall and 25-4 in the Rocky Mountain Conference over the last three seasons.
 
Prior to beginning his college coaching career, McDowell served as a high school coach for 10 years, including his last five as head coach at North County High School in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He led the Raiders to back-to-back conference championships in 2012 and 2013.
 
McDowell played quarterback at Southeast from 2001-03. He completed 219-of-389 passes for 2,651 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. McDowell ranks among the school's all-time career leaders in pass efficiency (8^th, 119.2). He also rates among Southeast's all-time single-season leaders in passing yards per game (7^th, 186.5 ypg, 2001), touchdown passes (t9th, 13, 2001), pass attempts (t10th, 288, 2001), pass completion percentage (2^nd, 64.6, 2003) and passing yards (10^th, 2,051, 2001). Additionally, McDowell threw for 391 yards in a 24-5 victory over Southern Illinois on Sept. 8, 2001, third-most in a single game at Southeast.
 
McDowell graduated with a degree in business education from Central Methodist University.