November 19th, 2024 5:00pm
By Jon Dykstra, Maryville Forum
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Northwest Missouri State will immediately begin a national search for a new football coach as the university announced on Tuesday that the Bearcats will not renew the contract of Rich Wright.
Wright completes an 7-season tenure at Northwest as 65-22 with three MIAA championships and five NCAA playoff appearances. He spent six seasons as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
“It’s special — he’s been been here 20-plus years through everything and he kinda grew up through the program,” Northwest Director of Athletics Andy Peterson said. “From a D-line coach to the D-coordinator to the head coach — just a a special dude who gave his all for the program. We are so thankful and appreciate him, Sarah and the girls, and their sacrifice for the betterment of the program.”
Wright was a member of the coaching staff for 21 seasons — coaching in eight national title games and helping the Bearcats win titles in 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2016. He was the winningest active MIAA coach with a .747 winning percentage, which ranks ninth national among coaches who have coached for at least five seasons.
Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Chad Bostwick has been named the interim coach while the search is conducted.
“He’s been around here a long time, so he knows the ins and the outs of how things work,” Peterson said.