Daniels solidifies Mount Mercy history as the first head football coach. He will assume the role on Jan. 6, 2025.
Prior to arriving at Bethel, Daniels served as the head coach at Iowa Wesleyan from January of 2020 through the spring of 2023, while previously serving as the school’s defensive coordinator for the 2019 season. Daniels led the Tigers to their most wins in 10 seasons while at the helm, setting numerous school records on the defensive side of the ball. Daniels’ squad ranked in the top-15 in the NAIA in total passing yards, passing yards per game, pass completions, and passing first downs over the course of his tenure in Mount Pleasant.
“I am so humbled and blessed for this opportunity to be the first head coach at Mount Mercy University,” said Daniels. “I am extremely grateful, and would like to thank athletic director Paul Gavin and President Todd Olson for entrusting in me at the inception of this program to bring success and pride to the community through football. With hard work and a commitment to excellence, we will build upon the foundation laid by exceptional leadership from the top down in order to create a dominant program. I am excited to get out in the community and engage our supporters. Together, we will develop an elite staff, and recruit talented athletes in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding areas. My wife Chyna and daughter Riley are elated and eager to get to Cedar Rapids. GO Stangs!”
I am so humbled and blessed for this opportunity to be the first head coach at Mount Mercy University. With hard work and a commitment to excellence, we will build upon the foundation laid by exceptional leadership from the top down in order to create a dominant program.
Daniels has plentiful experience coaching both sides of the ball, coaching the defense at McMurry University in Texas from 2015-2018. Daniels would coach the defensive line and the linebackers, as well as the special teams over the course of four seasons with McMurray, including leading the defense to have the top ranked pass defense efficiency in 2015 in the American Southwest Conference.
Over the course of his coaching career, Daniels has coached 27 All-Conference athletes, three NCAA All-Americans, two NAIA All-Americans, a Defensive Player of the Year, and a Cliff Harris award finalist. Daniels was also named to the 2023 AFCA 35 Under 35 Minority Coaches Watch List.
"I am enthused about having MD Daniels join our Mount Mercy community as our inaugural football coach. He brings deep experience, proven success, and authentic values to this vital new role.”
– Dr. Todd A. Olson
President, Mount Mercy University
“I am enthused about having MD Daniels join our Mount Mercy community as our inaugural football coach,” added Dr. Todd A. Olson, Mount Mercy University President. “He brings deep experience, proven success, and authentic values to this vital new role. I can’t wait to see how Coach Daniels works with colleagues across the university to bring our football program to life.”
Daniels is a graduate of McMurry University with a degree in Math Education and will be joined in Cedar Rapids by his wife, Chyna, and daughter, Riley.