Ricky Coon is in Cape Girardeau for his second stint at Southeast Missouri.
Coon, who spent five years as SEMO’s defensive line and assistant head coach from 2014-18, enters his fourth season as the Redhawks defensive coordinator.
SEMO had the top red zone defense in the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South and allowed a league low 1.4 sacks per game in 2024. Along the way, Coon coached his first OVC-Big South Defensive Player of the Year (Bryce Norman) as the Redhawks defensive coordinator. SEMO’s defense also turned out six All-OVC-Big South performers and one All-American, including Norman who led the conference with 10.5 tackles per game. Additionally, Norman became the first player in program history to lead the team in tackles four-straight seasons.
In 2023, Norman and safety Lawrence Johnson represented SEMO on the All-OVC-Big South Team from Coon’s defense. Norman earned first-team honors as the Redhawks leading tackler again, while Johnson claimed second-team accolades. Johnson later signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints.
During the 2022 campaign, SEMO had the best scoring defense (22.6 ppg allowed), total defense (361.1 ypg allowed) and rushing defense (106.8 ypg allowed) in the OVC. Coon’s defense also produced five All-OVC selections, including Johnson, Norman, Ty Leonard, Keandre Booker and Steven Lewis.
Prior to SEMO, Coon worked for three years as head coach at Dodge City Community College.
Before taking the Dodge City job, Coon was on SEMO’s staff when the Redhawks went 9-4 and claimed their then-second NCAA Football Championship Playoff berth in 2018. That year, the Redhawks defeated Stony Brook for their first-ever playoff victory.
In 2018, the Redhawk defense led the nation in takeaways and turnover margin, while topping the OVC in sacks, interceptions and red zone defense.
SEMO’s defense had a record-setting 2017 campaign, notching a league-best 37 sacks and surrendering only seven rushing touchdowns. The seven rushing TDs marked the fewest in a season in program history. In addition, the Redhawks allowed just 17 points per game in OVC play.
The 2016 season saw Coon’s defensive line help limit opponents to 138.5 rushing yards per contest, third-fewest in the OVC. SEMO 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.
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. Taryn is on SEMO’s softball team and Zane signed with the Redhawks football team.
