Head coach: Alan dykens
adykens@centralmethodist.edu
660-248-6209
Alan
Dykens is the newly hired head coach of the Central Methodist University
Eagle Football program. Coach Dykens comes to CMU from HAAC rival,
Graceland University. Dykens was the Associate Head Coach,
Defensive Coordinator, and linebackers coach for the Yellow Jackets.
In 2004 Dykens’ defensive unit collected six positions on the Heart of
America Athletic all-conference list: Defensive lineman Ron Strozyk and
linebacker Craig Hidy were third team selections, and linebacker Tony
Ingram and defensive backs Reggie Cox, Manny Espinoza and Michael
Richardson were honorable mention team members. In mid-November, Strozyk
was selected as a HAAC Player of the Week due to his two sacks and two
forced fumbles that week.
In his first season with the Jackets, Dykens coached the second best
pass defense in the conference. Defensive back Michael Richardson
received All-American honorable mention recognition and was second in
the conference in interceptions. Two Yellowjackets, Tony Ingram and
Craig Hidy, were selected as HAAC players of the week. The Heart of
America Athletic Conference selected six Graceland defensive players to
the all-conference team, including two second team and two third team
picks. Craig Hidy and Michael Richardson led the way with second team
accolades, followed by third team members Alan Linden and Ryan King.
Reggie Cox and Jayson Blocker were honorable mention all-conference
selections.
Dykens joined the Yellowjacket program after spending three years at
Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Mo. While at Missouri
Southern (2000-02), Dykens served as special teams coordinator,
recruiting coordinator and video coordinator. He coached quarterbacks
and defensive backs during his tenure with the Lions. Dykens started his
coaching career instructing tight ends at Graceland University in 1994.
The next three seasons (1995-97) were spent as an assistant coach at
Munford High School in Munford, Tenn. At Munford, he was responsible for
coaching the quarterbacks and linebackers as well as coordinating the
special teams and serving as the head strength and conditioning coach.
After Munford, Dykens served as a graduate assistant coach at Arkansas
State University from 1998-2000. His experience included one season on
offense and one on defense, coaching tight ends and defensive backs,
respectively. Additionally he was responsible for video breakdown and
assisted with recruiting.
Other coaching opportunities in his career included: Lamoni Middle
School head men’s basketball coach in 1994-95; Lamoni High School
assistant track coach in 1995; Munford High School head junior varsity /
assistant varsity baseball coach in 1996; Munford High head men’s track
coach in 1997-98; Munford High head women’s track coach in 1998.
Playing Experience
Dykens was a four year varsity letterman at Graceland University from
1990-93 while playing a variety of roles for the Yellowjacket program.
Dykens was also selected as an All-Conference Scholar-Athlete in both
1992-93 and 1993-94.
He also played on the Yellowjacket baseball team earning two varsity
letters.
Dykens was a quarterback and linebacker for 1988 3A state semi-finalist
Carl Junction High School in Carl Junction, Mo.
Education
Dykens graduated from Graceland University in 1995 with a B.S. in
biology and secondary education. He also earned a M.S.E. degree from
Arkansas State University in educational administration-principalship in
1999.
In 2004 he earned a Doctorate in Education (Ed. D.) in educational
leadership and policy analysis through the University of Missouri -
Columbia. His dissertation topic was – A Comparative Study of Leadership
Traits and the Degree of Success Among Collegiate Football Coaches.
Honors
In 2004 he was selected to serve as the Defensive Coordinator for the
HAAC/GPAC Senior All-Star Game. He was twice awarded the Best of the
West Tennessee Coach Award for his work as head men’s (1997) and women’s
(1998) track coach at Munford, Tenn.
Dykens published an article in Bigger, Faster, Stronger magazine in
1998. He was also a speaker on the Glazier Clinic Tour in 2003.
At Graceland, Dykens was the Council of House Chaplains president in
1993-94, Graceland Student Education Association co-president in
1994-95, and a Graceland Ambassador in 1992.
Prior to Graceland, Dykens coached a 5A state runner-up football team at
Munford High School in 1997. Dykens was twice honored with the Golden
Whistle Award for being a top recruiter at Missouri Southern.
Teaching Responsibilities
Dykens is an assistant professor in the Health and Movement Science
Division at Graceland. His class load includes: anatomical and
mechanical kinesiology, principles of healthful living, personal fitness
management, theory of coaching football and leadership in sport. He also
serves on the Wellness Committee and the Council for Student Welfare.
Personal
Alan is married to Amy (McLavy), who graduated from Graceland in 1995.
They have two children, Dixie and Bode. Outside of football, Alan enjoys
golf, hunting, fishing and music. Alan is also heavily involved in the
Community of Christ church.
Schedule and Results