Missouri Southern State University Athletics

Josh Hager enters his second year at Missouri Southern as the Defensive Coordinator.

Year one saw the Lions have the top-two tacklers in the MIAA as Richard Jordan, Jr. led the MIAA in stops, while freshman Colton Winder was second in the league. Winder also finished second nationally in tackles by a freshman. 

Prior to his arrival in Joplin, Hager led the Garden City Community College defense. In 2018 the Broncbuster defense was the top scoring defense in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference and earned an appearance in the NJCAA National Championship game where the Broncbusters held East Mississippi Community College’s offense out of the end zone for the first time in 11 years while also limiting EMCC to 1-13 on third down.  

In 2016 the Broncbuster Defense finished first in the NJCAA en-route to the 2016 National Championship. It was the first time in program history GCCC finished as the top defense in the country and the first time a KJCCC school finished in the top spot. In 2016 the defense forced 35 takeaways and in 2017 the defense forced 33 takeaways that resulted in five touchdowns on the way to the El Toro Bowl (2016) and the Heart of Texas Bowl (2017).

Hager has coached one national Defensive Player of the Year, two conference Defensive Players of the Year, two conference Defensive Linemen of the Year, 11 All-Americans, 41 First Team All-Conference players, and one first round draft pick in Mike Hughes (Minnesota Vikings - 2018).

Before his time at GCCC Hager was the Defensive Coordinator at Saint Vincent College where the Bearcats were the top pass defense in the Presidents Athletic Conference while the Bearcats reduced their points allowed by more than 10 points per game while breaking a 22 game losing streak leading up to Hager’s arrival in Latrobe. Prior to SVC Hager was the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI. The Green Knights won the Midwest Conference championship and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Football playoffs during both of his seasons. In 2013, St. Norbert ranked first in the MWC in total defense, giving up 308.0 yards, and scoring defense, allowing 16.1 points.

Prior to St. Norbert, Hager spent time at a pair of NCAA Division II schools, the University of Minnesota-Crookston, and Michigan Tech. He served as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for four seasons at Michigan Tech before taking over as defensive coordinator at Crookston for one season.

He also spent time at Central Connecticut State, the University of Mary, St. Louis Park High School, Valley City State University & Dickinson State University.

Hager lives lives in Joplin with his wife Krystal and has four daughters, Monica, Soleil, Tenley, and Kaylee. He has degrees from Valley City State and the University of Mary.