Meet the MMA 2019 Fall Coaching Staff

Mitch Jenkins – Head Football Coach

Coach Mitch Jenkins has been a part of the coaching staff at MMA since 2013 and is looking forward to this coming season with optimism.

“We have been very fortunate this summer with a committed group of players,” Jenkins said. “I hope by the end of this season, I can help these cadets learn something about themselves. I hope they learn that when things get hard in life, they keep going and come out stronger for it.”

In Jenkins' first season at the helm at MMA, the Colonels were able to produce more wins in a single season than had been produced in any single season since 1983.

“Our program philosophy is one that provides a family atmosphere that all are welcome and can contribute to the football family," Jenkins says. “Our goal as a coaching staff is to get the most out of each player that we can. While that does mean football ability, we also want them to leave our program the best version of themselves they can be. I want each person to feel valued, and to someday become a productive member of society.”

Prior to MMA, Jenkins coached at North Callaway High School under Head Coach Mike Emmons, a Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame honoree. During his tenure at North Callaway, Jenkins coached the tight ends and defensive line, as well as coached and served as the youth camp director for boys basketball.

Jenkins then served two years as head junior high football coach at Montgomery County before returning to North Callaway during the 2010 season, serving as special team coordinator for three years and then junior varsity head coach.

 

Katrina Dukes – Head Cross Country Coach

Coach Katrina Dukes will lead the Colonels Cross Country team for the second season in a row as they head into the 2019-20 season.  In addition to her coaching experience, Dukes works as a physical education instructor for Mexico Public Schools elementary students, making her approach to coaching founded on education and confidence-building positive reinforcement.

Dukes has been an avid runner her entire life. In her home state of Oregon – widely known for its running culture – Dukes ran competitively and for personal pleasure. “Back home, running is just what you do!” she said.

“We have always encouraged our own children to be active and physically fit. Running is the quickest and probably the cheapest way to do that,” Dukes says. “I run every day and hope to instill that same love into my cadet runners!” 

With an athletic scholarship, she attended Missouri Valley College and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in physical education.

Dukes, her husband and sons are active members of their community and church, and often run together as a family hobby. Her oldest son attends Columbia College on a track scholarship, and her youngest son plays soccer and baseball.

 

Matthias McManus – Head Swimming Coach

MMA is thrilled to offer swimming as a competitive athletic program for this first time since 2013. Coach Matthias McManus will spearhead the program as head coach, bringing more than 15 years of swim coaching experience to the new team.

“We are very excited to have Coach McManus on board to revitalize our swim program here at MMA,” says Director of Athletics Dr. Ryan Nowlin.  “McManus brings a wealth of knowledge to a program that has a storied and very accomplished past.  We plan to put MMA back on the map as a perennial state swimming powerhouse.” 

Highly qualified, McManus has served as head swim coach for YMCA competitive swimmers for 16 years, and in the same timeframe, he has served 11 years as a coach in the competitive USA swimming program.  Under his guidance, swimmers have qualified for national meets, broken YMCA age group records and gone on to receive college swimming scholarships.

In addition to his coaching experience, McManus is an American Swim Coach Association (ASCA) level 2 coach, a Red Cross lifeguard instructor, a water safety instructor, a CPR and AED first aid instructor, a coaches safety training instructor and a Begin to Swim program instructor.

 

John Biddle – Head Raiders Coach

SFC John Biddle is uniquely qualified to coach the MMA Raiders, his experience extending back to when he was an infantry ranger and leading his own team.

Biddle takes pride in providing team building mentorship and practices, which increase physical and mental grit. He believes these skills will be invaluable in all competitions, as well as future endeavors throughout life, regardless of the career path cadets choose.

“Raiders never quit,” Biddle says – a belief he hopes to instill in his cadets long after they leave MMA.

As a Raiders coach, Biddle began coaching at Clinton High School before he transferred to MMA. His military career is extensive, and he offers a strong, unique approach to his Raiders coaching style. His military education and training includes the Basic Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Ranger School, Pathfinder School, Air Assault School, Rappel Master School, Primary Leadership Development Course (now called Warrior Leader Course), Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Recruiter Course, Army Recruiting Station Commander Course, and the Army Medical Department Recruiter Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, with 2 oak leaf clusters; Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Good Conduct Medals, 8th award; National Defense Ribbon with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze service stars; Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon, with numeral 3; Army Service Ribbon; Superior Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Ranger Tab; Senior Parachutist Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge; Air Assault Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Combat Infantry Badge; US Army Basic Recruiter Badge – Gold; and Egyptian Parachutist Badge.

 

Liam Collins – Head Soccer Coach

Coach Liam Collins has a long history as a competitive soccer player and coach, and hopes to use his experience to help cadets grow as players and young men.

He says his goal for this season at MMA is simple: to do better than they did last year.

“I hope the cadets are successful and improve as players throughout the year, but more than anything I want them to understand that though sport they can mature and become successful both on and off the field here at MMA,” Collins said. “Each season presents different challenges to our cadets, and I look forward to seeing how they react and grow throughout the season.”

Collins’ soccer career began at a very young age, where he played in Ireland and travelled around the world to compete. At the university level, Collins played NCAA Division I soccer at the University of Memphis, and post-university played professionally for Cork City FC in Ireland and D.C. United (MLS). While playing for Inter Nashville FC (NPSL), Collins was named to the 2017 All-NPSL First Team.

Prior to coaching at MMA, Collins coached college soccer at Cumberland University in Tennessee.

He holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in history from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in sports and exercise science from Cumberland University.

 

Joshua Allison – Middle School Soccer Coach

Coach Joshua Allison says training cadets to develop a better appreciation for teamwork is his ultimate goal this year. He says at the middle school level, one of the most important things about coaching soccer is to celebrate when you can and stay positive during the losses.

“As a player it is easy to think of the here and now and up and downs of winning, but as an adult successfully imparting the small life lessons is more important,” Allison said. “I hope the cadets are able to make new friends and learn the value of sharing a common goal achieved through teamwork.”

Allison brings multiple years of athletic and coaching experience from a wide variety of sports at all levels. At Sunnydale Adventist Academy, Allison was elected by his coaches to captain the basketball and soccer teams due to his strong resiliency and defense. His coaching experience includes coaching students in swimming and soccer.

Allison completed the honors program at Union College, earning his degree in international studies with a minor in business administration. He also studied Italian in Florence, Italy at Villa Aurora.