Missouri Southern State Football
Defensive Coaching Staff
Mike Mutz
Defensive Coordinator
Mike Mutz is in his sixth season with the Lions and was promoted to defensive coordinator last year and continues to serve as the defensive backs coach at Missouri Southern.
In his first year as defensive coordinator, the Lions led the MIAA in total defense. Southern allowed just 344 yards per game, while defensive lineman Brandon Williams was named to three different All-American teams. Williams was a first-team All-MIAA pick after leading the MIAA in sacks and ranking in the top 25 nationally in both sacks and tackles for a loss. Defensive back Justin Cowper was a second-team All-MIAA selectio, while linebacker Dusty Bratzler, defensive lineman Kenny Smith and defensive back Skyler Vandiver were all named honorable mention All-MIAA.
In 2008, Mutz helped the Lion defense finish first in passing defense for the second-straight season. Both Skyler Vandiver and Justin Cowper were named All-MIAA. In 2007, the Lions finished first in the MIAA in Total defense, Pass Defense, Pass Efficiency Defense, and Opponent First Downs. The Lions finished second in third down conversions and picked off 21 opponent passes. Three members of the secondary earned All-MIAA honors.
Mutz came to Southern after two years at Sam Houston State University where he was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator working for Coach Ron Randlemen. In 2004, Mutz helped Sam Houston to the Southland Conference Championship and a berth in the National Semi-Finals. The Bearkats finished the year with a school record 11 wins and were ranked fourth in the final coaches poll. SHSU ranked as the most improved team in Division I-AA, going from 2-9 in 2003 to 11-3 in 2004. In 2005, all four defensive lineman for the Bearkats made All-Southland Conference. In his two seasons at Sam Houston, Mutz coached six All-Southland selections.
Prior to Sam Houston, Mutz served as the defensive line and special teams coach at Fort Scott (KS) Community College under Kevin Verdugo. While at Fort Scott, Mutz worked with current Tennessee Titans running back Chris Brown. During his tenure with the Grey Hounds, Mutz had over a dozen players move on to Division I programs.
Mutz began his coaching career at Southern Illinois University under Jan Quarless. He coached defensive backs and was the recruiting coordinator. In his final season at SIU, the Salukis led the Gateway Football Conference in total defense, run defense, third down percentage and finished second in sacks. While at SIU, Mutz coached current Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott.
A 1997 graduate of Mesa State (Colo.), Mutz played defensive back for the Mavericks. He earned a bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and then earned his master's degree in Sport Psychology from SIU in 2000.
Mutz is married to the former Jenna Henry.
Tom Howe
Defensive Line
Tom Howe is in his first year as a coach for the Missouri Southern Football team after helping to lead the University of Minnesota - Duluth to a Division II National Championship in 2010. Howe will coach the defensive line at Southern
A native of Clinton, Iowa, Howe completed a three-year graduate coaching stint at Iowa State University where his areas of supervision included the offensive line, the kick and punt return units and the long and short snappers. Before that, he worked for one season (2006) at Drake University as its defensive line coach, and one year at Minot State University (outside linebackers and defensive tackles).
In his time as a collegiate coach, Howe has coached seven All-Conference picks, two All-Region selecitons and one NFL draftee in Iowa State offensive lineman Reggie Stephens.
Howe, who taught and coached football at his alma mater, Clinton High School, in 2004-05, was a three-year starter on the defensive line for Drake University and, as a senior in 2002, he received All-Pioneer League honors. Two years prior, he helped lead the Bulldogs to the Pioneer League title.
Howe, 29, owns a B.S. degree in secondary education from Drake University (2004) and a Master’s degree in higher education from Iowa State (2010).
Atiba Bradley
Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
Atiba Bradley is in his second year on the coaching staff at Missouri Southern after two years on Gary Pinkel's staff at the University of Missouri. Bradley is responsible for coaching the linebackers at Southern, as well as running study halls and keeping up with the student-athlete's academic progress and this year added the title of recruiting coordinator.
In his first season at Southern, Bradley helped lead linebackers Richard Williams, Alex Wong and Dusty Bratzler to 152 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and five quarterback hurries. Bratzler was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick. The Lions also led the MIAA in total defense.
In 2009, Bradley served as the defensive graduate assistant coach at Mizzou. The Joplin, Mo. native moved to the defensive side of the ball, after spending the 2008 season as the staff's offensive quality control graduate assistant, where he helped the Tigers to a prolific offensive season that saw them break numerous school scoring and yardage records.
As the defensive graduate assistant, Bradley was responsible for the offensive scout team in preparation for each week's game, along with film breakdown and scouting reports for each of the Tigers' opponents, among other duties.
As the offensive quality control graduate assistant, Bradley, a 2006 graduate of Missouri Southern, was responsible for assisting with day-to-day operations of the offensive coaching staff, including video breakdown, scouting, computer and video informational input, as well as providing various assistance with recruiting operations.
Bradley came to Mizzou after spending his previous two seasons as a coach at his alma mater. He spent the 2006 season as a student assistant coach while finishing up his degree in general studies with an emphasis in mathematics. During that season, he coached the cornerbacks, and was hired for the 2007 season as an intern coach, working with the tight ends and offensive line.
During his playing days at Missouri Southern, Bradley was an all-conference linebacker each of his last two seasons, after initially coming there as a defensive lineman. He was an all-state performer as a prep offensive and defensive lineman at Joplin High School prior to that.
Bradley was married in June of 2008 in his hometown of Joplin to the former Jacquelyn Dukart, a former member of the Southern Dance team, who is also a Joplin native. Jacquelyn earned her degree from Missouri Southern last December. The couple welcomed their first child, Birana, in September of 2010.
Kevin Almlie
Defensive Backs / Corners
Kevin Almlie comes to Southern after two years coaching the defensive backfield at his alma mater, Western Illinois.
Almlie worked with the defensive backs and video coordination at WIU where he assisted with the secondary, including All-America cornerback Patrick Stoudamire. That group ranked among the 'Top 50' nationally in passing defense.
He served as a student assistant coach during the 2008 season while he finished his degree requirements. A two-year starter at free safety, Almlie ranked second among the defensive backs recording 50 tackles during his senior year. He earned the Coaches' Appreciation Award that year. During his junior year Almlie ranked 10th in the conference among the interception leaders.
A native of Novato, California, Almlie twice earned All-Conference honors at Santa Rosa JC and led his high school to the conference title and California North Coast championship.
Almlie earned his bachelor's degree in broadcasting from WIU and is finishing his requirements for a master's degree in communications.
