Verdugo came to FHSU from the University of Akron, where he served as an assistant coach. Prior to Akron, he was the head coach at Fort Scott Community College for three seasons. Verdugo was tabbed the 2001 Kansas Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year while at FSCC. He led Fort Scott to a 5-4 record that season, including a victory over top-ranked Garden City Community College.

Under Verdugo’s offense, quarterback Bill Whittemore was named Jayhawk Conference Player of the Year in 2001 and went on to sign with Kansas where he was the Big XII Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2002.

Verdugo was the quarterbacks coach at Southern Illinois for the 2000 season and spent two seasons (1997-98) as offensive coordinator/running backs coach at Northern Michigan.

From 1994-96, Verdugo served as the quarterbacks (1994-96) and wide receiver coach (1996) at Southeast Missouri State. In 1994, he coached Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year Fred Hosten, and as recruiting coordinator, he covered the states of Florida, California, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

A former college quarterback, Verdugo began his career at the University of Kansas (1987) before finishing up at Colorado State University (1988-91). He spent two training camps (1992-93) with the New Orleans Saints and the 1994 preseason camp with the Shreveport Pirates of the CFL.

Verdugo and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons, Kaleb, Jackson, and Kollin.

In just two years, McCray has coached three wide receivers to All-MIAA honors (O.J. Murdock, Cordarol Scales, and Anthony Smith in 2009).

A native of Miami, Fla., McCray came to the program from Florida Atlantic University, where he was an intern coach during the spring of 2008. McCray has 10 years of experience coaching football and track and field in Tampa, Fla., where he also worked as a high school teacher. McCray has coached three players that are currently in the NFL (Brian Clark, Oliver Hoyte and Greg Lee).

McCray was a player at Clinch Valley College (Va.). He earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from the University of South Florida.

While at Fort Hays State, he has coached four defensive lineman to All-MIAA honors (Albert Rodriguez in 2006 and 2007, Jason Hill in 2007, Ty Brunswig in 2007 & 2008, Jacob Crossman in 2009), two of which were two-time recipients; and one Daktronics All-Region honoree (Jason Hill 2007).

Along with his defensive coordinator responsibilities at FHSU, Bryant is the strength and conditioning coordinator.

Bryant came to the program from Western Michigan University, where he played football for two years. Prior to his time at WMU, Bryant played two years of junior college football at Merced College, where he was named team captain and earned All-Valley Conference honors.

He received his master's degree in Health and Human Performance from Fort Hays State University after completing work on a bachelor's degree in Student Integrated Curriculum with emphasis in Physical Education at Western Michigan University.

Bryant is a native of Edmond, Okla., where he attended at Santa Fe High School.

Bryant started his collegiate coaching career at Fort Hays State in 2007 as a graduate assistant coach of the offensive line. He went on to coach the offensive line and tight ends at North Texas as a graduate assistant in 2008 before returning to Fort Hays State for the 2009 season.

Bryant played three years at the University of Tulsa where he lettered on the offensive line. Bryant was part of teams that claimed the Conference USA Championship and won the Liberty Bowl in 2005, as well as participated in the Armed Forces Bowl in 2006.

Prior to Tulsa, Bryant played at Citrus Junior College in Glendora, Calif., where he played on the offensive line. In Bryant’s sophomore year, the Owls won the Western States Conference and earned a playoff berth.

The Edmond, Okla., native graduated in 2007 from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He is currently finishing his master’s degree in Health and Human Performance.

Before arriving at Fort Hays State, Jostes started for three years at quarterback for Drake University. He was an all-conference selection and Division I-AA Academic All-American at Drake.

Jostes earned a bachelor’s degree from Drake University in Secondary Education with the emphasis in History. Jostes is a native of Iowa City, Iowa.

Spiller brings three years of coaching experience from local high schools. In 2008, he was the defensive coordinator at Hays High School. From 2006 to 2007, he was the defensive backs coach at Russell High School.

Spiller had a very successful playing career. He played at Kansas State University from 1994 to 1997. With the Wildcats, he played in four major bowl games, which included the Aloha Bowl (1994), Holiday Bowl (1995), Cotton Bowl (1996), and Fiesta Bowl (1997). He went on to play arena and indoor football for several teams, including the Oklahoma Crude, Topeka Knights, and Tennessee Thundercats. He also had a stint in the European Football League. Spiller earned Defensive MVP honors with the Topeka Knights and Tennessee Thundercats.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Spiller earned his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science at Kansas State. He is married to the former Nikki Basgall of Plainville, Kan. They have two sons, Yanci and Ezra.

Maresh is a graduate of North Dakota State University. He was a four-year starter for the Bison at linebacker. He was a two-time all-conference selection. He ranks fifth all-time in school history in solo tackles. Maresh also competed on the NDSU wrestling team during his sophomore year. Maresh was invited to training camp with the Minnesota Vikings.

A native of Champlin, Minn., Maresh received his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in community sports. He is working on a master’s degree in Sports Administration at FHSU. Maresh is married to the former Bridget Rustand of Elbow Lake, Minn.

Stephenson is a graduate of Pittsburg State University. He served as the team’s punter from 2005 to 2006. Prior to his two years at Pittsburg State, he played two years at Garden City Community College.

A native of Little River, Kan., Stephenson received his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. He is working on a master’s degree in Sports Administration at FHSU.