It's a quick turnaround for the Dodge City Community College football team as they gear up for the 2021 season this fall after playing in the spring for last year as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed last year's season into the spring.

Third-year Head Coach, Ricky Coon has round out his staff with the addition of John Holt and Tyrie Adams who join the staff as Offensive Coordinator and Runningbacks coach, respectively.

Holt takes over a Conquistador offense that averaged 31.7 points per game this past spring on 403.6 yards per game and will have multiple impact returners back to work with along with an influx of new talent. The new Conquistador OC comes from Western Carolina University where he was on staff for the past nine years and served as the offensive coordinator for the past two years. During his time with the Catamounts of Western Carolina, he mentored several All-Southern Conference selections while helping lead an offensive line that blocked for multiple 1,000-plus yard rushers and some other big offensive marks. Before joining Western Carolina's staff, Holt began his coaching career at his alma mater Appalachian State University where he coached tight ends and worked as an offensive quality control coach. During his playing career, he played in 55 of ASU's 56 games during his four-year career, served as a team captain, and earned third-team All-American honors as a senior.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Holt, his wife Krystle, and their son JT to the Conq football family. Coach Holt brings a wealth of experience from the NCAA DI level. More importantly, he is a great man who will add a lot of value to our coaching staff and our entire football team," said Coach Coon on the addition of Coach Holt to the Conq football staff.

Adams comes to Dodge City joining one of his former coaches at Western Carolina in Coach Holt and will guide the runningback group. Fresh off competing in the Champions Indoor Football League with the Salina Liberty, Adams is eager to get his coaching career underway. With the Liberty, Adams played quarterback for the 2020-21 season helping the team to a 13-2 record overall and 8-1 in the games he played. He posted a 70.9% completion percentage with 944 yards and 25 touchdowns with only three interceptions during the season which saw the Liberty fall in the CIF Championship game by one point to the Omaha Beef. During his collegiate career, Adams played in 44 games at quarterback for Western Carolina and threw for nearly 9,000 yards with 64 touchdowns, while adding 2,547 yards rushing with 18 touchdowns. He is one of 11 players to throw for 2,000+ yards and rush for 1,000+ yards in a single season in FCS history and earned All-American and All-Conference honors multiple
times, while also setting multiple school records.

"I'm happy to give Coach Adams an opportunity to start his coaching career. He was an All-American quarterback at Western Carolina University; he relates very well with the players and has a lot of knowledge to pass forward to the offensive-skill guys. I look forward to watching him grow," said Coach Coon on the hire of Coach Adams to the Conq football staff.

With his coaching staff set and in place Coach Coon hopes to continue to take steps forward as a program and in year three continue to improve.

The Conquistadors are set to open the 2021 season on Saturday, September 4th at Memorial Stadium as they host Iowa Western for a 1:00 pm kickoff. (Full 2021 Schedule - click here)