Mitch Leppke is entering his third year as an assistant coach on the coaching staff at Missouri Southern in 2023 and will be responsible for coaching the defensive backs for the Green and Gold.
Year two at MSSU would see a changing of the guard at safety with Jalen Dennis an honorable mention All-MIAA selection after finishing with 43 tackles, 25 solo, one interception, one pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble after making the transition from Division III to Division II. Churchill Williams V, Ian McSwain and Avery Bass would also combind for 62 tackles, 2.5 TFL's, two interceptions and three pass breakups.
In his first season with the Lions helped the Lions to being the second best passing defense in the MIAA and saw Dylan Bolden nab five interceptions and return two for touchdowns. Malachi Broadnax had 56 tackles to lead all non linebackers for the Lions while also having 2.0 TFL's, an interception, fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Broadnax and Bolden were named All-MIAA with Bolden being a third teamer.
Leppke comes to the Lions from Quincy University where he was an assistant coach for two seasons. In 2019, Quincy's defense finished 1st in the GLVC in interceptions with 16 total, good enough for 15th overall in NCAA DII. Andrew Houston led the league with 5 interceptions during the 2019 season. The defense finished 13th in NCAA DII and 1st in the GLVC in forced turnovers with 26 on the year.
Prior to returning to QU, Leppke served as the “Defensive Quality Control” at the University of Wyoming in 2017. The Cowboys finished 8-5 and winners of the Idaho Potato Bowl. The Cowboy defense finished among the best in FBS football, finishing 1st in forced turnovers with 38, 13th in scoring defense, allowing 17.8 points per game as well as 22nd in the country in total defense (332.8 ypg). Leppke worked under National Championship winner Craig Bohl and current Michigan State defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton.
In 2016, Leppke coached at Minnesota State University-Moorhead as the Safeties Coach. The Dragons finished 7-4 in a season where he coached current Hawk assistant Coach, Aaron Doan.
The 2014 and 2015 seasons, Leppke served QU as a graduate assistant, working with the Hawk secondary and earning his Master’s Degree in Communications. During the 2015 season, Leppke coached Adekheem Brown who finished on the All-GLVC second team in 2015, and ended his career second all-time in interceptions at QU.
Leppke’s career began at his alma mater, McPherson College (’13) after he finished his playing career. The Bulldogs made the NAIA playoffs in 2009 and 2010, and won the KCAC Championship during their 2010 campaign. Leppke graduated with a degree in Physical Education and was a nominee for KCAC Champion of Character.
Leppke and his wife, Nicole have a daughter, Audrey. They reside in Joplin.
