Entering his 10th season with the Crimson Storm, Craig Hubbard begins his first year as Southern Nazarene University’s Interim Head Coach.
Hubbard served as MidAmerica Nazarene University’s defensive coordinator for four seasons and followed Mike Cochran from MNU to SNU in December of 2005.
Hubbard’s defenses have consistently been among the nation’s toughest throughout his stints at MidAmerica and now at Southern Nazarene.
In the 2011 season, Hubbard's defensive unit finished third in the NAIA in sacks per game (3.0), fourth in total sacks (36), seventh in defensive pass efficiency, 14th in total yards allowed per game (274.0) and 16th in points allowed per game (19.2).
In 2007, Hubbard’s SNU defense finished the year ranked fifth in sacks per game (3.4) and was ranked third in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game at just over 66 yards per game. SNU was also in the top ten in first downs allowed, 12th in sacks, and 15th in scoring defense. Hubbard’s defense ranked 13th overall in total defense per game, allowing 231.5 yards per contest.
As the defensive coordinator at MidAmerica, Hubbard consistently had his defenses among the nation’s elite. In his final season at MNU, Hubbard had the Pioneers as the 17th best scoring defense in the country, ninth best against the run, and 17th nationally in sacks.
Hubbard was listed in LRS Sports’ American Football Monthly magazine (www.lrssports.com) as a coach to watch at the NAIA level.
Hubbard is a native of Mediapolis, Iowa, where he attended Mediapolis High School, graduating in 1988. At Mediapolis, Hubbard was an All-State linebacker and finished fifth in the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament.
After graduating from Mediapolis, Hubbard went on to MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, where he earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1994. Hubbard was a four-year letterman for MidAmerica, where he played from 1990-94. On the gridiron, Hubbard was a Heart of America All-Conference selection in 1993. Hubbard then obtained his master’s degree in history from Concordia (Neb.) in 1996.
Hubbard began his coaching career in 1994, serving as an assistant coach at Concordia (Neb.), where he coached the defensive line and was the strength coach.
From Concordia, Hubbard returned to his alma mater, MidAmerica, in 1998, taking the position of linebacker’s coach which he held until 2005. In 2002, Hubbard added the title of defensive coordinator.
Hubbard has also served in the U.S. Army/Army National Guard from 1997-2005. In the U.S. Army, Hubbard was a SAPPER, and had been an infantryman, combat engineer, and air assault. Hubbard is also a member of the First Infantry Division (the Big Red One), and a member of the First Armored Division (Old Ironsides).
Hubbard and his wife, Amy, have two children, a daughter named Hannah, and a son named Caleb.
