McKendree University Athletics

McKendree University Athletics Director Anthony Francis has announced the hiring of Zach Mittman as the school’s new competitive cheerleading head coach.

“I am extremely excited to announce the hiring of Zach (Mittman) as the Bearcats’ new Head cheerleading coach,” Francis said. “Zach has been in our program for a total of seven years, first as a student-athlete, before becoming an assistant coach for the Bearcats.  His promotion to Head Coach is well deserved and we’re all excited to see Zach’s immediate impact and direction for the program.”

Mittman moves up to the head coaching role after serving as an assistant cheerleading coach during the 2021-22 school year.

“I’m very excited to take on this new role,” Mittman said. “Coaching the program I was a part of and grew in is beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined.”

Prior to becoming an assistant coach, Mittman spent five years (2016-21) as a cheerleader at McKendree before graduating in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Mittman, who is a native of Danville, Ill., came to McKendree as a student in 2016 after being a multi-sport athlete at Danville High School. While in high school, Mittman lettered in baseball, football, wrestling and cheerleading.