ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University head football coach Steve Johnson has announced that Mike McElroy will be the new Defensive Coordinator for the Royals in 2017. McElroy, who was most recently the Defensive Coordinator at Concordia University, St. Paul in 2016 comes to BU with great coaching experience at the NCAA Division I, Division II, and high school level.

"Mike will have an immediate impact on our program," said head coach Steve Johnson. "Not only is he an incredible fit for our culture, but he brings a sense of intelligence and poise that is sure to enhance both our players and staff. Beyond that, 'Mac' loves the Lord, loves football, and is devoted to training young men."
 
During his time with the Golden Bears in 2016, McElroy helped CSP's defense lower both their total yards allowed and total points surrendered from the previous season.
 
Prior to his one-year stint with Concordia, McElroy served as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota for two seasons under Jerry Kill and Tracy Claeys. McElroy helped the Gophers reach the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in 2014 and win the Quick Lane Bowl in 2015.
 
While working with the U of M's defensive backs, McElroy helped the unit rank No. 18 among all FBS programs in pass defense in 2014 and No. 11 in 2015. This was one reason why the Gophers' defense went from No. 39 to No. 24 in total yards allowed during his two-year term. Additionally, McElroy helped Minnesota produce 30 turnovers (15 interceptions) in 2014, which ranked No. 11 in the FBS.
 
"I am thrilled with the opportunity to join the rich tradition of Bethel football," commented McElroy. "I'm excited to work with and learn from this coaching staff. Coach Johnson has built a staff of tremendous leaders, teachers and husbands. They are guys I want to emulate and be around every day."
 
Before joining the Gophers' 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. Just before that, he was the assistant defensive backs and wide receivers coach at Marion High School in 2011.
 
McElroy earned his bachelor's degree in health education at Southern Illinois, where he was the starting strong safety and two-year captain for the Salukis. He twice received All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team honors and was a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award (national player of the year) in 2010. He played his freshman season under then-head coach Jerry Kill.
 
During his time as a student at SIU, McElroy created and promoted the Salukis Black Out Cancer Game, which started during his senior season. 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.
 
McElroy joins a defensive staff of Jimmy Miller and Rick Meyer, who have helped Bethel's defense be among the Top 4 in every major statistical category since 2000.

Mike and his wife, Austyn, live in St. Paul and are expecting their first child in June.
 

---

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

"Mike is a brilliant defensive minded coach! He is full of energy and passionate about football and developing young men."
—Jeff Phelps, Defensive Line Coach at Washington State University
 
"Mike is one of the most talented younger football coaches in today's game. He's full of energy and down to Earth, which is rare to see in anyone, let alone a football coach. He fully understands why you coach—not for how it benefits you, but how you can benefit others. That is what makes him special."
—Jay Nunez, Assistant Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Tight ends at Eastern Michigan University

"Mike is a wonderful human being and a great man of faith. He is determined, organized, and brings about the best in all players. What makes him truly unique is his ability to grow men in all phases of their life."
—Adam Weber, Offensive Quality Control Analyst at UCLA (Former quarterback at the University of Minnesota)