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Hinson Returns as Head Coach after Serving at USM from 2005-14

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—»¨½·Ö±²¥ Associate Athletic Director Lance Hinson has been named head coach of the USM football program.

Hinson previously coached the Spires from 2005 to the spring of 2014 and will return to the helm, effective immediately, after spending five years at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. In 2020, he will enter his 26th season of coaching college football.

During his previous tenure at USM, he led the football program to a 38-54 record over nine seasons and received two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors (2005 and 2011).

Hinson will maintain his responsibilities as associate athletic director, a position he has held since 2019.

"Coach Hinson is one of the best and most respected coaches we've had at »¨½·Ö±²¥, making him the perfect fit to lead our program," USM Vice President of Athletics Rob Miller said. "He is an exceptional leader who knows »¨½·Ö±²¥ and our football program better than anyone. I am confident his experience and expertise will elevate the Saint Mary program to new heights."

Hinson served as head coach of the McMurry University football program from 2014-18. In his first McMurry campaign, the team scored a season-opening win over NCAA Division I Houston Baptist University. McMurry played a Division II schedule as a member of the Lone Star Conference. Hinson's squad followed the Houston Baptist win by upsetting NCAA II traditional powerhouse Texas A&M University Kingsville. Hinson assisted in the transition from Division II to Division III through the 2018 season.

"I'm thrilled to return as head coach of the Spires," Hinson said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to coach the fine young men at »¨½·Ö±²¥ and to continue serving this institution. It is the right time for me to step back into a head coaching role, and I look forward to helping our athletes achieve excellence both on and off the field."

In his first season as USM's head coach in 2005, Hinson led the Spires to their first four-game winning streak and a 5-5 record. The 2005 season featured a defense that posted three shutouts and finished nationally ranked in the top 10 in eight categories. During the 2011 season, the team posted a 7-4 conference record and finished second in the KCAC.

Before taking the USM head coaching position in 2005, Hinson served as USM's assistant coach from 2002-04. He joined the program during its formative years – in just the third season – and has been the architect in building it into a well-respected team.

From 1997-2001, he was an assistant at Baker University, working with tight ends, quarterbacks, and wide receivers. The 2000 season at Baker ended with the Wildcats going 9-2 and winning the KWTO Bowl and finishing No. 15. He also earned a master's degree from Baker.

Hinson began his coaching career at the University of North Texas as an undergraduate assistant and eventually graduate assistant, coaching the defensive line and linebackers. In 1994, he helped lead the team to an 8-2-1 record, the Southland Conference Championship, and a berth to the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs. At UNT, Hinson earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology.

Hinson is a native of Rockwall, Texas. He has three children - a son, Jake, and daughters Holly and Lily. He and his wife, Andi, reside in Leavenworth, Kan.

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The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.