LaQuentin Black Returning to Missouri Valley College as New Football Head Coach
Marshall, Mo., (Jan. 2, 2025)- All-American LaQuentin Black is returning to his alma mater as the 14th head football coach in Missouri Valley College history.
The announcement was made Thursday by MVC President Joe Parisi.
Black, who graduated from Missouri Valley in 2014 and was a leader on a Vikings team that went to the national semifinals, starts his job February 1. But he's already making plans to be in Marshall much earlier.
"I want to hit the ground running," he said. "I want to be with our current players, get to know them, cater to their needs, make them comfortable, and let them get to know me."
Black will also immediately begin assembling his coaching staff, and directing his focus on recruiting.
"I've watched LaQuentin's career for years," Parisi said. "He has remained the same driven, passionate, kind, caring and laser-focused individual that I knew when I first met him. He has a great plan, and he is determined to help our student-athletes succeed on the field and in the classroom."
Most recently, Black was the safeties coach at Northern Iowa, and he has also coached at national champ Hutchinson Community College, Troy University and Central Methodist University.
Returning to Marshall is about his passion for his alma mater, and also about family and timing.
"We have a lot of family and friends in the area," Black said. "I spoke with my wife about this, and the timing felt right. But I have to say that this is also about alignment. I can see Dr. Parisi's vision, and his enthusiasm. We are cut from the same cloth…we want the same thing for Valley."
Some of Black's top priorities include community service and a commitment to academic success.
"We are going to be champions in the classroom, champions in the community, and in leadership," he said. "When those things happen, that translates into championships on the field."
This will also lead to a robust gameday environment at Gregg-Mitchell Field, Black said.
"I know what it looks like when the program is thriving," Black said. "I want us to see purple and orange everywhere. I don't want that feeling to be a memory for our fans and our alums. I want it to be a reality for all of us. There's work to be done, but we will get there."
Black was a first-team all-American defensive back at MVC, and he led the NAIA in kickoff returns in 2012, averaging 35.9 yards per return.
Black replaces Casey Creehan as the Vikings' head coach. Creehan accepted a job in professional football that he said he couldn't pass up. He said the job allows him to spend more time with his family in Florida.
About Missouri Valley College
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.