Kyle Westphal

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Assistant Coach - Defensive Backs / Special Teams Coordinator | 10th Season

Kyle Westphal is in his 10th season as a member of the Mules coaching staff in 2022. He is the special teams coordinator and coaches the UCM defensive backs.

During his tenure in Warrensburg, Westphal has coached 26 All-MIAA players, 12 defensive backs and 14 special teams honorees, and four All-Americans.

Last season, he coached All-MIAA Second Team defensive back Codie Bell, who led the Mules with 90 total tackles, including 64 solo and 26 assisted. His total tackles ranked third in the MIAA. Westphal also coached All-MIAA honorable mention linebacker Deven Smith in addition to honorable mention kicker Chris Diddle.

Mules Special Teams turned in a tremendous year in 2019, led by All-MIAA First Team selection Zach Davidson. Davidson averaged more than 40 yards per punt for the third straight season and had nine of 48 travel more than 50 yards. Placekicker Samuel Knowlton hit 9-11 and the Mules were 68-75 on PAT's. UCM averaged more than 20 yards per kick return and more than 16 on punt returns, one of just two MIAA teams to do that. Devante Turner averaged 22.42 yards per kick return and 17.5 per punt return with a touchdown.

Defensively, Westphal helped Codie Bell to a Second Team All-MIAA pick. The safety led the Mules in tackles with 81 while also recording two interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble. 

On the defensive side of the ball in 2017, Westphal helped coach defensive back Monteze Latimore to an All-American season. He was also a first team All-MIAA selection, leading the league with 20 passes defended with four interceptions. Over the course of his career, Latimore became the Mules all-time leader in pass breakups with 33. No. 2 in that category was Latimore's teammate Diaron Rhodes. Rhodes had 31 for his career and was also an All-Conference selection in 2017. 

The Mules also were one of the top special teams unit's in the league. Freshman punter Zach Davidson set a new school record and was second in the country averaging 44.3 yards per punt. Kicker Alex Langer finished in a tie for second in the MIAA with 15 made field goals. Those two, along with long snapper Garrett Cline were all named to the All-MIAA team. 

The Mules special-teamers had another great season in 2018. Devante Turner was an All-MIAA selection as a kick returner, finishing third in the league with 25.5 yards per return. Punter Zach Davidson led the MIAA wit ha 42.8 average per kick and was an All-Region selection. Senior kicker Alex Langer was 10-14 on field goal attempts and moved into the UCM top-10 in extra points, field goals and kicking points scored. 

In 2015 two of his defensive backs and two special teamers earned All-MIAA honors and redshirt freshman placekicker Billy Greco earned Honorable Mention All-America honors after making the second most field goals in a single-season in UCM history.

The UCM defense recorded 24 interceptions in 2014, the most in the MIAA and the third most in a single-season in school history. The Mules were fourth in the league in punting and LaVance Taylor tied the UCM career record with his third kickoff return for a touchdown.

In 2013, UCM led the conference in both kickoffs and kickoff return, and led the league in field goal efficiency. In addition, Zach Gebhardt earned All-MIAA honors as both a placekicker (2nd team) and punter (honorable mention).

In 2012, the Mules led the MIAA and were fourth nationally in net punting. The special teams unit also ranked fourth in the league averaging 20.9 yards per kickoff return. Punter Matt Jordan was a second team All-MIAA selection, while free safety Patrick Lewis earned an honorable mention nod.

Prior to coming to UCM, Westphal was the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator at Hastings (Neb.) College during the 2011 season.

His defense at Hastings was ranked in the top 10 in the country in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense and was No. 1 in the conference in scoring defense. Seven players earned all-conference honors under his tutelage. His special teams unit ranked first in the nation in kickoff returns and first in the conference in kickoff coverage, third in net punting and third in punt returns.

Before taking his position at Hastings, Westphal served as an assistant coach at Loras (Iowa) College from 2007-2010. During his time there he coached the defensive backs and linebackers. He was the special teams coordinator from 2008-10 and the co-defensive coordinator from 2009-10. During his time as co-defensive coordinator his units were ranked in the top three in the conference in passing defense, total defense and redzone defense. They also ranked in the top 30 in the country in total defense, rushing defense, sacks and tackles for loss.

Prior to Loras, Westphal spent two years at Northwest Missouri State as a graduate assistant, coaching the wide receivers. His second year in Maryville he coached the Bearcat running backs. He was a part of two National Runner-Up finishes for NWMSU, helping the squad to a 25-5 record over two seasons and an MIAA Championship.

Westphal played collegiately at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He was a three-time all-conference defensive back for the Storm and an All-American in 2003. He was a four-year letterwinner and a two-time team captain in addition to being named the Defensive MVP as both a junior and senior. He holds school records in seven different categories. He was inducted in to the Simpson Hall of Fame in the fall of 2015.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Sports Administration from Simpson in 2005 and his master’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Northwest Missouri State in 2006.

The Fontanelle, Iowa, native and his wife, Crystal, have a daughter, Zoey, and son, Kobe.