CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – A familiar face returned to the Southeast Missouri football coaching staff when Ricky Coon was hired as defensive coordinator Wednesday.
Coon, who spent five years as SEMO's defensive line and assistant head coach from 2014-18, begins his second stint with the Redhawks in his new position.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Coon and his family back to SEMO," said Head Coach Tom Matukewicz. "He was a foundational piece of our early progress in Redhawk Football. Ricky has had valuable head coaching experience and I look forward to him having a big impact on our young men."
Coon returns to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level after spending three seasons as head coach at Dodge City Community College.
"My family and I are very excited to return to SEMO," said Coon. "We enjoyed our previous five years in the Cape Girardeau area and are looking forward to being Redhawks again. I cannot thank Coach Matukewicz enough for trusting me with the opportunity to be Defensive Coordinator. I plan to work hard every day to not let him or this program down."
Prior to that, Coon was on SEMO's staff when the Redhawks went 9-4 and claimed their then second NCAA FCS Playoff berth in 2018. That year, SEMO defeated Stony Brook for its first-ever playoff victory.
That year, the Redhawk defense led the nation in takeaways and turnover margin, while topping the Ohio Valley Conference in sacks, interceptions and red zone defense.
In 2017, SEMO's defense had a record setting season, allowing just 17 points per game in OVC play. The Redhawks notched a league-leading 37 sacks and gave up only seven rushing touchdowns, fewest in a season in school history.
The 2016 campaign saw Coon's defensive line help limit opponents to 138.5 rushing yards per game, third-fewest in the OVC. SEMO also boasted the league's second-best red zone defense with the help of Coon's unit.
Coon's defensive line had a big hand in helping SEMO accumulate 31 sacks during the 2015 season.
"We will continue to build on what SEMO has been doing defensively," added Coon. "We will play physical and fast, and be fun to watch."
Coon also made stops at Northwest Mississippi Community College (Defensive Coordinator, 2013), NCAA Division II members Southwest Baptist (Defensive Line, 2012) and Northern State (Defensive Line, 2006), Ellsworth CC (Defensive Coordinator, 2009-11), Highland CC (Defensive Coordinator/Head Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, 2007-08) and Bethel College (Defensive Line/Strength & Conditioning Coordinator).
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Coon was a two-time all-conference defensive lineman at Dodge City CC and Bethel College. He also had the privilege of playing two seasons of professional football in the Arena Football League for the Wichita Stealth (AF2) and Wichita Aviators (APFL).
Coon is married to the former Amanda Sanchez of Newton, Kansas. Together they have four children, Taryn, Zane, Gunner and Bryson.
