WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March 29, 2019) - The University of Central Missouri Mules Football program announced this afternoon the hiring of BJ Campbell as the next Defensive Coordinator. 

Campbell comes to Warrensburg after spending the previous six seasons as the Defensive Coordinator at Montana Tech in Butte, Mont. where he was also the Associate Head Coach for the 2018 season.

"I couldn't be more thrilled to be able to work with Coach Svoboda and coach alongside the staff that he has put together at Central Missouri," said Campbell. "He has built a winning culture and has had tremendous success in what I feel is the top conference in the country. The facilities, the support for athletics in the community and the family vibe is what has really stood out to me since arriving on campus. I am incredibly excited to be able to call UCM and the city of Warrensburg my new home."

The Orediggers have a 35-29 record since Campbell took over as the D-Coordinator in 2013. The past five years, the Orediggers have had one of the best defenses in NAIA Division I which led them to back-to-back NAIA postseason appearances in 2015 and 2016.

"I am elated to announce the addition of BJ Campbell to he Mules Football program", said Head Coach Jim Svoboda. "Throughout our search process, it became clear that BJ was the best candidate for our defensive coordinator position. I was over-the-top impressed with his knowledge, preparedness, forward-thinking and passion for coaching. BJ brings with him a wealth of experience and success, has done more with less and is an outstanding recruiter. We are excited about the future of the Mules defense under his leadership." 

In Campbell's first season as Defensive Coordinator, the Montana Tech Defense ranked seventh in the country in quarterback sacks, averaging 3.3 per game and 33 total on the season. At the end of the 2013 season, they were in the top three in the Frontier Conference in six different categories: scoring defense, total defense per game, pass defense per game, sacks, opponent first downs and opponent third down conversion.

The 2015 season saw the Orediggers go 10-2 as the defense finished ranked in the top 25 in seven different defensive categories. Campbell's defenses were stifling on fourth downs and finished ranked first in the country in fourth down conversion percentage. The multiple style of defense that Campbell implemented allowed 13 different defenders to register sacks. The havoc causing defense registered 40 total sacks, ranking fourth nationally. The 2015 defense finished the season ranked 12th in scoring defense, 13th in opponent third down conversion percentage, 15th in total defense per game, 16th in total pass defense and 21st in rushing defense per game.

Another 10-2 season in 2016 had the Orediggers at the top of the Frontier Conference in five defensive categories and second in three. Nationally, Campbell's defense was ranked in the top 25 in eight different categories: fifth in opponent completion percentage (.489), eighth in rushing TD's allowed (10 allowed), tenth in total sacks (33 on the season), 11th in scoring defense (19.2 pts/game), 13th in rushing defense (124.5 yards/game), 15th in pass defense efficiency (109.3), 22nd in opponent third down conversion percentage and 24th in total defense. After the 2016 season, six defensive players were selected All-Conference led by senior safety Gunnar Kayser. Kayser was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award as well as selected second team AFCA All-America and the Defensive Player of the Year for the Frontier Conference.

In 2017, the Oredigger defense had four All-Conference selections headlined by Connor Wines who led the league with 10 sacks. The Diggers ranked first in the Frontier and 12th in the NAIA in opponent third down conversions. Tech ranked 20th in the nation in total sacks. The impressive numbers kept piling up in 2018 as the Diggers were sixth in the nation in opponents fourth-down conversion percentage (28.6%), and 14th in opponent first downs (184) and had three named to the All-Frontier Conference team.

In each year Campbell directed the linebacking corps, he has coached at least one All-Conference performer. He was also instrumental in developing and mentoring Montana Tech linebacker Ryan Jones who was signed by the NFL's Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2013 NFL Draft. Under his leadership, Campbell has guided 6 linebackers to All-Conference, including David Meis who in 2015, was selected to the first team and was also named second team AFCA All-America. 

Prior to Montana Tech, Campbell spent two seasons at the University of South Dakota coaching outside linebackers with a brief stint working with the running backs and fullbacks. Campbell was involved in coaching the special teams working with kickers and punters. In Campbell's last season at USD, he was a member of the coaching staff that defeated the University of Minnesota in the school's first ever win over a BCS opponent.
 
Campbell went to USD after a four-year playing career at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb.. As a standout defensive back, Campbell played a key role in WSC's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2008. Campbell started all 12 games and had 37 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups to earn All-NSIC South Division honors. In 2007, Campbell had 18 assisted tackles, 22 assists and a team-high five interceptions. In his collegiate career, Campbell registered 50 solo tackles and 38 assists along with eight interceptions.

A certified strength and conditioning specialist through NSCA, Campbell earned his bachelor's degree from Wayne State in 2008.  Campbell earned his masters of arts in Exercise Science and Athletic Administration from the University of South Dakota.