Casey Creehan Hired As New Football Head Coach
Marshall, Mo., (Dec. 27, 2023)-Missouri Valley College President Dr. Joseph A. Parisi and Athletic Director Mike Machholz have announced the hiring of veteran coach Casey Creehan as the 13th head coach of the Viking football program.
Creehan has spent more than 20 years coaching at various levels of collegiate and professional football, and comes to Missouri Valley after spending the 2023 season as the defensive coordinator at NCAA Division II Concord (W.V.). He has head coaching experience at two NAIA institutions.
"We have high standards for all aspects of our program, and with Coach Creehan we have secured a high-caliber, proven leader to oversee our football program and orchestrate its return to National prominence," said Dr. Parisi Wednesday morning.
Machholz said Creehan was selected from a field of more than 140 candidates.
"This has been an extensive search," said Machholz. "We had great candidates, but it became clear to us that Casey had the passion and the energy to lead our football program."
Machholz praised Creehan's experience at all levels, "but it was his passion about family, football and the development of the student-athlete that really hit home."
Creehan's most recent head coaching position came at fellow Heart of America Athletic Conference school Peru State (Neb.), where he led the program from 2020-21. The COVID-impacted 2020 season featured only three games for Peru State. In 2021, Creehan led the Bobcats to a 7-4 overall record, and a 3-2 record in the Heart North Division.
Prior to his time at Peru State, Creehan spent two seasons as head coach of the Lyon (Ark.) football program from 2018-19. Lyon finished with a 4-7 record in his first season, then followed in 2019 at 7-3 overall, including a 6-2 record in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The seven wins in 2019 was the most in program history for Lyon.
"I am humbled and honored to be selected," said Creehan. "My family and I are extremely excited to join the Missouri Valley College family and the Marshall community. I can't wait to get to work and build on the great foundation that has been laid here."
Creehan said that under the leadership of previous Coach Paul Troth and the others before him "The football program has had a rich tradition, and I am ecstatic to be a part of it. Dr. Parisi and Coach Machholz have an incredible vision for the program and the institution."
In addition to his years as head coach at the NAIA level, Creehan has spent more than a decade as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator with various Canadian Football League teams. Creehan served as defensive coordinator with the Toronto Argonauts from 2014-15, Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2013, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2012. He also served as a positional assistant on defense with the Tiger-Cats in 2022, Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2010-11, Montreal Alouettes in 2008 and with the Calgary Stampeders from 2004-07.
Creehan has experience as an assistant coach at the FBS and FCS levels, including time with Eastern Michigan, James Madison (Va.), Southern Illinois and Lehigh (Pa.).
To find their new football coach, Parisi and Machholz formed a search committee of staff, faculty, and coaches to navigate the hiring process.
"We sought someone who would lead our young men to maximize their potential in all facets of life, including their off-the-field pursuits and academic success," Parisi said. "We prioritized someone with experience at managing all facets of an NAIA football program and particularly with ties to Missouri, rural America, and the Midwest," Parisi said.
"We also wanted someone who would connect with our staff, would resonate with our fan base and would relish the opportunity to be a Viking. Casey Creehan checks all those boxes and more."
Creehan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Grove City (Pa.) and a Master's of Science in health, physical education and recreation from Emporia State (Kan.). Creehan and his wife, Lori, have two children, Camille and Weston.
Creehan replaces Troth, who stepped down last month after 22 seasons and a career record of 145-96 record. Missouri Valley finished 5-5 in 2023.
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Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 30 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and a wide variety of sports. The most popular majors include education and business, criminal justice and exercise science. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.