McElroy in the shutout win in the 2016 opener
Mike McElroy was named defensive coordinator for the Golden Bears in January, 2016. He'll also work with the defensive backs. Outside of his on-field coaching responsibilities, McElroy will serve as the program's academic coordinator, housing coordinator and pro liaison.
McElroy comes to Concordia from the University of Minnesota where he served as defensive graduate assistant coach for two seasons under former Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill and current head coach Tracy Claeys.
“Mike is a great fit for our program, he is a person with integrity and a strong moral background and Christian values. He cares about the players that he coaches and is concerned with developing them as people, which above football is what we are trying to do here,” said Currier. “I think it’s important for our student-athletes to understand that their coaches will care about them as people, and when players see a genuine coach it’s easy to play hard, stay focused and motivated to succeed. We’re committed to providing the best student-athlete experience at Concordia, and Mike fits that mold.”
Currier added, “From a football standpoint, Mike has the respect of his former players and coaches at Minnesota, he knows the Gopher defense inside and out and we intend to employ that style. More importantly than X’s and O’s, though is his demeanor which comes right back to his personality. He’s an even keel person, is able to keep his cool in intense situations which his players have thrived off.”
He helped the program reach a pair of bowl games, reaching the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in 2014 before a Quick Lane Bowl Championship in 2015. The Gophers went 8-5 overall including a 5-3 finish in the Big Ten to tie for second in the West.
“I'm excited to have an opportunity to coach this great game and thankful coach Currier gave me a chance as a young guy,” said McElroy. “Football is an incredible vessel to influence young people and I hope to have a lasting impact on those I am fortunate to teach.”
Working with Golden Gopher defensive backs, McElroy helped the unit rank 18th in the nation in pass defense in 2014 (193.5 yards) before improve to 11th in the country in 2015 (179.5 yards). The unit’s pass efficiency ranked 35th also improved between his two seasons, going from 35th (118.29) to 25th (113.19). The strength of the Gopher defense, the big improvement helped the overall defense to move from 39th at the FBS level (368.2 yards) to 24th (345.9 yards).
Additionally, in his first year with the program the Gophers were skilled at producing turnovers, with 15 interceptions (23rd FBS), 30 total turnovers (11th FBS) and a plus-10 turnover margin (15th FBS).
In the year prior to his arrival on staff, the Gophers surrendered 2,796 passing yards in 2013, trimming it to 2,515 in his first year in 2014 and 2,334 in his second year in 2015, an overall drop of over 35 passing yards per game.
He was part of a Gopher coaching staff that captured the Little Brown Jug against Michigan (2014) and Floyd of Rosedale against Iowa in the 2014 season.
Prior to joining the Gopher coaching staff, McElroy coached football and taught physical education at Elverado-Trico High School. At the age of 24, he was the youngest head coach in Southern Illinois. Under McElroy, five Falcons earned all-conference honors, which was the most in program history in the past seven years.
His first coaching experience was as assistant defensive backs and wide receivers coach at Marion High School. In 2011, McElroy attended the AFCA’s Future Coaches of America Academy.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in health education from Southern Illinois in 2012 where he was the starting strong safety and a two-time team captain for the Salukis. He twice earned All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team honors and was a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award (national player of the year) in 2010 when his season was cut short due to injury.
He played his freshman season in 2007 for head coach Jerry Kill, and in addition to his on-field honors, he was named an Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star and a member of the MVC All-Academic Team.
Strong athletically and academically, he also created and promoted the Salukis Black Out Cancer Game, which started during his senior year in 2011. The Salukis were the first college football team in the nation to develop and implement the concept in 2011, and had to obtain special permission from the NCAA to do so. The event has raised more than $250,000 in four years and has become a key tradition within the program and athletics department, now expanding to men’s and women’s basketball.
