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Dordt University

2025 Brandon McCormick Head shot

Brandon McCormick

McCormick, hired in May of 2016, begins his 10th overall season as a coach within the Dordt University football program. The upcoming 2025 season will be the fourth that McCormick has served in the role of Defensive Coordinator and his second year with the title of Assistant Head Coach. 

Education:

  • B.A. - Social Studies Education (Grades 5-12), Crown College, 2016
    • certified in teaching English as a foreign language
  • M.A. - School Leadership, Dordt University, 2018

Playing Career:

  • standout 4-year career playing quarterback for both Crown College (Minn.) and Marantha Baptist (Wis.)
  • began playing career as the starting quarterback for Marantha Baptist for two years
  • transferred to Crown College as a junior and finished his career as the starting quarterback for two years while at Crown
  • 2-year team captain for Crown
  • 2x all-conference for Crown
  • named Offensive Player of the Year for Crown
  • started a total of 36 games at quarterback throughout his four years
  • 4x Academic All-Conference
  • participated in the 2016 NFL Regional Combine

Coaching Experience at Dordt:

  • January of 2024 - added the title of Assistant Head Coach
  • 2022 - present: Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs Coach
  • 2018 - 2021: Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
  • 2019 - 2021: Academic Coordinator
  • 2017 - 2019: Cornerbacks Coach
  • 2016: Wide Recievers Coach

Coaching Experience Prior to Dordt:

  • Spring of 2016: Student Assistant Coach, Crown College
    • worked under the offensive coordinator, primarily with quarterbacks and tight ends
  • 2013 - 2015: Volunteer Assistant Coach, Elmwood / Brimfield High School (Ill.)
  • 2015 - 2016: taught individual skills at the Saints Sports Academy

Honors / Accolades: 

  • 2024
    • Finished season with a 8-2 record and #20 final ranking
    • Coordinated a record-setting defense that limited opponents to 4.3 yards / play
    • Guided a defense that ranked fifth in NAIA in ppg (12.2), fourth in the NAIA in ypg (256.4), top five in rush ypg (74.3), and held opponents to 27.86% on 3rd down
    • One first team All-American (Lucas Huttinga), seven all-conference selections (two 1st team, three 2nd team, two honorable mention)
  • 2023:
    • finished season with a 9-3 record and #14 final ranking
    • helped lead the Defenders to first ever playoff victory (vs Ottawa)
    • helped lead the Defenders to first ever win vs top five opponent (vs Morningside)
    • in charge of a record-setting defense that limited opponents to 4.4 yards / play
    • guided a defense that ranked second in the NAIA in ppg (13.6), 11th in the NAIA in ypg (277), 7th in rush ypg (87), 6th in sacks (38), 9th in interceptions (20)
    • eight total all-conference selections (5 1st team, 3 honorable mention)
  • 2022:
    • Dordt finished with a 7-3 record and #25 final ranking
    • defense ranked 2nd in the GPAC in rush ypg (88.8), a 40-yard improvement from the previous season
    • defensive unit led GPAC in quarterback sacks (40), 5th in NAIA
    • defense ranked 3rd in GPAC in ppg (20.1), ypg (315)
    • five all-conference selections (1 1st team,3 2nd team, 1 HM)
  • 2021:
    • Dordt finished with a 7-3 record and #23 final ranking
    • kickoff unit had its best year to date in holding opponents to an average starting field position of 26-yard line
    • opponents had zero returns past the 50-yard line
    • defense ranked third in the GPAC in ppg (18.6)
    • one All-American (Nathan Kabongo)
    • two all-conference selections (1 1st team, 1 HM)
    • 3.22 team GPA, 2nd best in program history
  • 2020:
    • Dordt finished with an 8-3 record and qualified for the NAIA Football Championship Series for the first time in program history (vs Grand View)
    • part of a Dordt defense that turned its best season to date
      • led NAIA in quarterback sacks (42)
      • led GPAC in ppg (17.4), ypg (283.9), opponents 3rd down % (29), passing yards / game (161.2)
    • placekicker Brett Zachman earned 2nd team all-conference honors
    • defensive back Nathan Kabongo named 1st team all-conference
    • 3.13 team GPAC, 3rd best in program history
  • 2019:
    • finished with a 7-4 record
    • placekicker Brett Zachman earned 2nd team all-conference honors
    • helped lead the Dordt defense to its best season to date
      • led NAIA with 34 takeaways
      • led GPAC in pass defense (158.1ypg)
  • 2018:
    • finished with a 7-3 record and #23 in the final NAIA ranking
    • senior placekicker Brett Gaines led GPAC in FG % (90)
    • posted a 3.23 team GPA, best in the NAIA
  • 2017:
    • part of a defensive staff that improved its ppg by 9.6 points from 2016
  • 2016:
    • helped lead the Defenders offense that averaged 32.4 points and 445 yards / game
    • wide receiver Jason Miller ranked 2nd in the NAIA in yards (1,311)
Personal / Family:
  • McCormick is married to his wife Annie and they reside in Sioux Center