Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame
The 2001 and 2002 Kansas Wesleyan Football teams claimed back-to-back KCAC Championships for the Coyotes. The titles were the first for the Coyotes since 1982. The 2001 team was KCAC Co-Champions with Bethany, but knocked the Swedes off 29-26 on October 27, 2001 in front of an overflow crowd at Martin Stadium snapping a 15-game losing streak to Bethany. The Coyotes won the KCAC Championship outright in 2002. The Coyotes went 8-3 both seasons and 8-1 in the KCAC. KWU made its first-ever appearances in the NAIA Football Championship Series those seasons facing Evangel in 2001 and Sioux Falls in 2002. Coach Dave Dallas was the 2001 KCAC Coach of the Year and Matt Leonard was selected as the KCAC Offensive Player of the Year and was a Second Team NAIA All-American. Jeff Strohecker was an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American in both 2001 and 2002. Clint Brown was the KCAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2002 and Oscar Nero was the Co-Offensive Player of the Year that season. KWU had a total of 35 All-KCAC selections over the two-year period.
