Head coach Scotty Walden named Chris Kappas his assistant head coach in July 2021 after a successful first season as Austin Peay’s defensive coordinator. He also takes over as the Govs Spurs and Bandits coach for the 2021 campaign after leading the defensive line group in his first season.
A coordinator at Division III powerhouse Mount Union for eight seasons prior to joining the Austin Peay staff, Kappas joined Austin Peay’s football coaching staff as its defensive coordinator in time for the spring 2021 season.
During those eight seasons at Mount Union, Kappas sandwiched a two-year turn as offensive coordinator (2017-18) between six seasons as the Raiders’ defensive coordinator (2014-16, 2019-20). Mount Union reached the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (Division III Championship game) four times, winning the championship twice (2015 and 2018).
A two-time OAC Assistant Coach of the Year (2014 and 2017), Kappas coached 14 D3Football.com All-Americans, and 12 athletes named the OAC’s most valuable athlete in their position group. Over 11 seasons in Alliance, Ohio, he coached Mount Union athletes who earned 32 First Team All-OAC honors.
Kappas and his wife Krista have a son, Coby.
KAPPAS’ CAREER SUMMARY
AUSTIN PEAY (2020-21)
2021: Elevated to Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator and assumed oversight of the Governors linebackers in August. Govs defensive unit led the OVC in scoring defense (24.9 points per game), pass efficiency defense (106.20), interceptions (17), takeaways (27), and sacks (1.64 per game, 18 sacks). Two Governors defenders were Consensus All-Americans – defensive back Koby Perry and Johnathon Edwards – with Perry earning OVC Defensive Player of the Year honors. That pair, who also earned First Team All-OVC nods, were joined on the All-OVC Teams by nickel back Kordell Jackson, defensive lineman Terrell Allen and linebacker Jack McDonald.
2020: Named Governors defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, Dec. 1, 2020. Govs defensive unit was ranked No. 2 among OVC programs in total defense (300.3 ypg) and rush defense (113.7 ypg) during the spring. Two Governors defenders – nickel back Kordell Jackson and linebacker Jack McDonald – earned First Team All-OVC recognition.
MOUNT UNION (2013-20)
2019: Returned to defensive coordinator position and coached a Mount Union defense that ranked among Division III’s top five in total defense, passing yards allowed and scoring defense. Coached safety Kordell Ford to First Team Associated Press All-America honors, after a 53-tackle campaign.
2018: In second season as offensive coordinator, Mount Union was second among Division III teams in scoring (48.8 ppg) and first downs (345) and ranked seventh in passing efficiency (174.77). Quarterback D’Angelo Fulford was a Third Team AFCA All-American after passing for 2,837 yards and 37 touchdowns (third in Division III). Running back Josh Petruccelli was a Second Team Associated Press All-American after ranking eighth among Division III rushers in both yards (1,531) and touchdowns (19).
2017: Moved to offensive coordinator and earned second OAC Assistant Coach of the Year award, helping Raiders win 2017 Stagg Bowl (Division III National Championship game). Raiders offense led Division III in scoring (50.5 ppg) and pass efficiency (217.45) and second in team completion percentage (69.9). Offensive lineman Cole Parris was a First Team Associated Press All-American and wide receiver Justin Hill was a Second Team Associated Press Little All-American after a 54-reception, 1,202-yard, 20-touchdown campaign.
2016: Raiders defense scored seven touchdowns to lead all Division III teams and ranked among the division’s top 10 in both rushing defense (7th, 70.2 ypg) and sacks (8th, 3.64 pg). Defensive tackle Mike Vidal was a First Team D3Football.com All-American after recording 12.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
2015: Named FootballScoop.com Division III National Coordinator of the Year after Mount Union won the 2015 Stagg Bowl in an undefeated season (15-0). The Raiders defense, which posted six shutouts in 15 games, topped all of college football limiting opponents to 197.6 yards per game. Mount Union also led the nation that year in rushing defense (55.2 yds/game), scoring defense (9.3 ppg), sacks (4.53 per game). Defensive end Tom Lally was the D3Football.com Defensive Player of the Year after recording 82 tackles, 20 sacks and 26 tackles for loss. Defensive end Mike Furda (16.5 TFL, 12.5 sacks) and safety Alex Kocheff (88 tackles, six fumbles recovered) were both First Team D3Football.com All-Americans.
2014: Elevated to defensive coordinator and earned first Ohio Athletic Conference Assistant Coach of the Year honor. Coached defensive tackle Tom Lally to First Team D3Football.com All-America honors after an 18.5 tackle-for-loss season.
2013: Returned to Mount Union as passing game and special teams coordinator. Coached quarterback Kevin Burke, who was a Third Team Associated Press All-American after leading all Division III signal callers with 44 touchdown passes and ranking second with 3,830 passing yards.
BOWLING GREEN STATE (2011-12)
2011-12: Joined Falcons staff as a defensive graduate assistant while earning his master’s degree in sports administration. While at BGSU, he was a member of a coaching staff that was one of four FBS teams to record three-win improvements over four consecutive seasons (2010-13).
MOUNT UNION (2008-10)
2008-10: After graduation, joined the Raiders coaching staff as an assistant coach, working with the team’s cornerbacks and aided the Raiders in their undefeated (15-0) Division III National Championship campaign. Remained cornerbacks coach the following season before taking over the Raiders offensive line group in 2010.
COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER (2005-08)
A 2008 Mount Union graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Kappas was a defensive back on the Raiders 2005 and 2006 Division III national championship teams and earned Academic All-OAC and 2007 CoSIDA Academic All-District™ honors.
