McKendree University Athletics

Michael Harrison returned to his alma mater and the McKendree football coaching staff in January 2015 as the Bearcats' assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator. In the summer of 2018, he was elevated into the role of defensive coordinator while also continuing to coach the defensive backs. 

For the second consecutive year, McKendree led the Great Lakes Valley Conference in interceptions in 2017. The Bearcats picked off 18 passes to match a program record that was first established back in 2002. Seven of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, which played a big role in helping McKendree lead all NCAA Division II programs with eight defensive touchdowns. McKendree also topped the GLVC in passing defense, allowing its opponents just 165 yards per game through the air in 2017. 

Cornerback Nate Powell earned his second straight first-team All-GLVC nod with a solid senior year in 2017. Powell led McKendree with 10 pass break-ups and added two interceptions. He closed his career with 22 pass break-ups and seven interceptions, both of which rank in the Bearcats' career top 10. 

Harrison's secondary stood out as one of the top position groupings in the GLVC as well in 2016. As a team, McKendree led the league in interceptions with 17 while topping the nine GLVC squads in defensive passing efficiency. Those two statistics helped the Bearcats lead the GLVC in total defense. 

The 2016 season also saw the emergence of Nate Powell as one of the GLVC's top defenders. Powell ranked among league leaders with three interceptions. He had two picks during the Bearcats' season-opener at home against Angelo State, the second of which went for a 50-yard touchdown that helped turn the tables in McKendree's favor on the way to a 33-19 victory. Powell was one of six Bearcats to earn first-team All-GLVC honors in 2016. 

Blake Benoist also came on as one of the top freshman defenders in the conference in 2016. Benoist led all McKendree defensive backs with 60 tackles while tying Powell for the team lead with three interceptions. 

In his return to the Bearcats' sidelines in 2015, Harrison coached one of the top groups in the GLVC. McKendree led the league in scoring defense, giving up just 19.8 points per game. The Bearcats were second among GLVC teams in passing defense as well, allowing just over 200 yards per outing through the air. Harrison's charges gave up just 13 passing touchdowns in 2015, which was the second-fewest among the nine conference teams. 

Safety Cruz Navarro closed out his McKendree career by finishing second on the team with 70 tackles in 2015. Cornerback Jabaree Winston added 46 tackles and an interception on his way to second-team All-GLVC accolades. Fellow cornerback Nate Powell battled his way into the starting lineup during the season and earned honorable mention All-Conference honors. 

Harrison is certainly no stranger to McKendree football fans. He returns for his second tour of duty at McKendree after spending two seasons as the defensive coordinator at nearby Lindenwood University-Belleville. Under his tutelage, the Lynx ranked 10^th in the NAIA in sacks per game in 2014. Harrison also served as the travel coordinator for the program and was also the summer camp director while at Lindenwood-Belleville.
 
Before his time at Lindenwood-Belleville, Harrison spent six years on the Bearcats’ coaching staff in a variety of capacities. Harrison served as defensive backs coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator from 2007-11 at McKendree before being elevated to the role of defensive coordinator for the 2012 campaign. He helped coach the Bearcats to their final two NAIA Football Championship Series appearances in 2009 and 2010. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Harrison was also the academic coordinator for the McKendree football program.
 
Prior to his coaching days at McKendree, Harrison was a three-year letterman and starter in the Bearcats’ secondary. Harrison earned first-team NAIA All-America honors following his senior season in 2006. That year he led the Bearcats with 55 tackles and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Harrison was a two-time All-Conference selection in the Mid-States Football Association.
 
For his playing career Harrison had nine interceptions, which is still tied for second on the Bearcats’ career list. He led the team in interceptions in each of his final two seasons at McKendree.

In addition to his exploits on the gridiron, Harrison spent three years as a member of the McKendree baseball program. He batted .300 or better in each of his two seasons as a varsity performer, earning honorable mention All-Conference honors after batting a career-best .358 with 43 runs scored, 16 stolen bases and 14 runs batted during in 2006. He was also a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree in baseball for the Bearcats. 

Harrison and his wife Lindsey reside in St. Louis with their daughter Amiya Jordan.