John McMenamin returns home as Northwest Missouri State football head coach
By Calvin Silvers
Northwest Missouri State University has turned to one of its own, naming John McMenamin as the 21st head coach of the Bearcat football program. The former Bearcat quarterback, a member of two national championship teams (1998 and 1999), steps into the role with a resume built on offensive innovation and success.
“I feel so fortunate and grateful for the opportunity that Dr. Lance Tatum and Athletic Director Andy Peterson have extended to lead this storied Bearcat football program,” McMenamin said. “Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat truly hits home.”
McMenamin, an Omaha, Nebraska, native, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the program. He most recently served as offensive co-coordinator and wide receivers coach at Tulane, where he helped guide the Green Wave to a historic turnaround (2-10 to 10-2), including a 2023 Cotton Bowl win over USC.
Under his guidance, Tulane ranked among the nation’s top teams in passing efficiency, scoring, and red-zone offense.
Before his stint at Tulane, McMenamin was head coach at Wayne State, where he led the Wildcats to their first seven-win season in 11 years and built the roster to 120 players through focused recruitment. His coaching career also includes success as an offensive coordinator at Central Missouri, where he engineered the nation’s top-ranked offense.
“His energy and passion for leading young men through the game of football just consumes you when you talk to him,” Peterson said. “I know Coach McMenamin is eager to connect with our athletes, recruits, and all stakeholders to cast his vision for the next chapter of Bearcat football.”
As a Bearcat quarterback from 1998-2002, McMenamin left an indelible mark, setting 27 school and conference records. He remains the program’s all-time leader in single-game passing yards (473) and total offense (475). He was named a first-team All-MIAA selection in 2002 and served as a team captain during his senior season.
“My freshman and sophomore years at Northwest showed me what a special place this is,” McMenamin said. “To now return as head coach is an incredible honor.”
A formal press conference to introduce McMenamin will be announced soon.
