Kansas Wesleyan University, located in Salina, Kansas, is home to one of the most successful football programs in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes Football team has been making waves across the college football landscape in recent years, and their success can be attributed to a variety of factors.
The Coyotes have a long-standing tradition of excellence on the gridiron, dating back to the early days of the program. However, it wasn’t until the arrival of Head Coach Myers Hendrickson in 2016 that the team really began to take off. Hendrickson brought with him a wealth of coaching experience from his time at both the high school and college levels, and his energy and enthusiasm quickly spread to his players.
Under Hendrickson’s leadership, the Coyotes went 11-0 in the 2018 regular season, winning the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) championship for the first time since 2004. They followed up that performance with a trip to the NAIA playoffs, where they advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Morningside College.
The Coyotes continued their winning ways in 2019, going 12-1 and once again winning the KCAC championship. This time, they made it all the way to the NAIA national championship game, where they faced off against the Marian Knights. Although they ultimately came up short, the Coyotes’ run to the title game was an impressive feat that firmly established them as one of the top programs in the NAIA.
So, what sets the Coyotes apart from other college football teams? For starters, they have a strong commitment to building a winning culture. Coach Hendrickson has emphasized the importance of teamwork, discipline, and accountability, and his players have bought into that philosophy wholeheartedly. They work hard in the weight room, on the practice field, and in the film room to prepare for each game, and they approach every opponent with a fierce competitive spirit.
Another key factor in the Coyotes’ success is their attention to detail. They pride themselves on executing at a high level in all facets of the game – offense, defense, and special teams. They are disciplined in their assignments and strategic in their play-calling, which allows them to control the tempo of games and keep opponents off balance.
Perhaps most importantly, the Coyotes have a sense of unity and camaraderie that drives them forward. They are a tight-knit group, both on and off the field, and they genuinely enjoy playing together. This team chemistry is evident in the way they celebrate each other’s successes and pick each other up after setbacks.
In short, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes Football team represents everything that is great about college football: hard work, determination, and a never-say-die attitude. Although they may not play in one of the major Division I conferences, they have earned the respect and admiration of fans across the country through their impressive performances on the field. As long as Coach Hendrickson and his players continue to embody the values that have gotten them this far, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.