By: Alex Helmbrecht, Director of CSC Relations
CHADRON – Joe McLain, an assistant football coach at Chadron State College since 2012, has resigned to pursue a professional opportunity in Minnesota.
“Joe will be missed on the coaching staff,” Long said. “He is a true Eagle and he helped us win many games as a player and as a coach. We wish him the best of luck in the future.”
McLain, a Chadron native, has been associated with the Eagles for much of his life. He worked as a ball boy along the sidelines in middle school before becoming Chadron State’s starting quarterback in 2005. During his four-year career, he led the Eagles to three consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships and three NCAA Division II playoff appearances.
“I am grateful for my time in Chadron and at Chadron State College,” McLain said. “I met a lot of great people and had many wonderful experiences. To get the opportunity to be part of the football program as a player and a coach has meant a lot to me and my family. It was a difficult decision to leave, but I felt like it was time to move on and pursue other opportunities.”
While at Chadron State, McLain coached the wide receivers and handled much of the Eagles’ film duties. He was also responsible for game day operations for CSC’s other sports.
Under McLain’s tutelage, CSC receivers had three stellar seasons in a row, beginning in 2012 when they combined to catch 254 passes. In 2013, that number increased to 278 and last season they caught 249. All three of those marks rank in the top six in school history.
“I am thrilled I had the chance to coach with Coach Long and Coach Stein and all the other coaches at CSC,” McLain said. “I’m confident the great tradition will continue and I’m proud to have been a part of it. I also know the players will keep the program in good hands. I’ve never been around a more unselfish group of receivers. They work hard every day and I’m eager to see what they accomplish this season.”
McLain was successful as a coach but he also had some fine moments as a student-athlete. He won 38 games in four years as the starting quarterback and led CSC to the playoffs three seasons, which is where two of his four losses occurred. As a junior in 2007, McLain shared the team’s MVP award with Danny Woodhead. As a senior in 2008, he was named the team’s MVP, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the RMAC All-Academic Player of the Year.
Also in 2008, McLain was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill and he became the sixth athlete in school history to be named the Omaha World Herald’s Male College Athlete of the Year.
He finished his career with 8,011 passing yards and 70 touchdowns. He added 707 more yards and 17 touchdowns rushing. As a professional, he played one season (2011) in the Indoor Football League for the Wyoming Calvary.
In the summer of 2014, he was placed on the Chadron State College All-Century Football Team.
Prior to coaching at CSC, McLain was a student assistant football coach at Douglas High in 2009 and coached the Chadron American Legion baseball team for several seasons. He also was an infielder in 2010 at Mayville State University in North Dakota, helping lead the Comets to a conference title.
He graduated from Chadron State with a degree in math education in 2009 and also earned a graduate degree from the school.