JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Dr. Kevin Wilson, Vice President for Advancement and Athletics, announced on Wednesday night (Jan. 17) that Moses Harper, a 14-year veteran with strong ties to central Missouri, has been named as the head coach of the Lincoln football team.
A formal press conference introducing Coach Harper to the Lincoln University community will be held in the near future. An official announcement regarding the date, time and location will be made soon.
"I'm delighted to welcome Coach Harper, his wife Roschana, Kaden, Elise, Moses III, and the twins here to Jefferson City and I am equally as excited to see Moses lead a new rendition of LU Football into the GLVC," said Dr. Wilson. "Moses is a proven leader and developer of driven talent with a great respect for where we are as an institution. I am confident that he will prepare our Blue Tiger football players for life well after the game."
Harper spent the past two seasons at MIAA programs, serving as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Nebraska Kearney in 2023 and the tight ends coach at Missouri Western in 2022. Harper, who also held the title of Director of Football Operations at both programs, developed Cam Grandy into a second team All-MIAA player at MWSU, and last fall coached two UNK receivers who finished among the top-25 in the league in both receptions and yards. Both of the position groups mentored by Harper additionally posted GPAs of 3.0 or higher, with two UNK players earned Academic All-American distinction.
"I am honored and humbled to be named the head football coach at Lincoln University," Harper said. "I'd like to thank Dr. Wilson and Lincoln University President John Moseley for the opportunity to lead the Blue Tiger football program. We have a great opportunity to build something and start a tradition that can last a lifetime. This program will be built on three things: Discipline, Accountability, and Toughness, or "DAT." That's our standard and what we stand for, on and off the field.
"I look forward to meeting all the great alumni, boosters and community members who make it possible to build our program. I cannot wait to get to the Capital City to meet the local community and begin our work on the 2024 season!"
Harper, who will lead the Lincoln football team in its first season as a full member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference this fall, also has experience coaching in the GLVC, as he served as the offensive line coach at William Jewell from 2019-21. He additionally held the titles of Camp Coordinator and Academic Achievement Coordinator with the Cardinals, and his players consistently posted a position group GPA higher than 3.0. WJC offensive linemen combined to receive six All-GLVC honors under his leadership.
From 2016-18 Harper was the associate head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and running backs coach and Director of Football Operations at Coahoma Community College in Mississippi, developing the first 1,000-yard rusher in program history. Prior to that, he spent four seasons coaching at Fort Scott Community College in Missouri, beginning as the recruiting and passing game coordinators before transitioning into the roles of offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Harper, who additionally was the position coach for the quarterbacks and wide receivers, built an offense that led the Jayhawk Conference and finished ranked among the top-20 in the country.
Harper's first coaching position was at Highland Community College, where he was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. There he worked with Tay Glover-Wright, who went on to signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 2014 and spent six seasons playing professionally.
A 2010 graduate of Central Methodist, Harper played both football and basketball for the Eagles. He earned all-conference honors at wide receiver and helped CMU's basketball team win 28 games and reach the NAIA Division I Sweet 16. Harper also played professionally as a wide receiver with the Wichita Wild, a former Champions Professional Indoor Football League team.
Harper, who also holds an associate's degree from North Central Missouri, and his wife, Roschana, have three children: Kaden, Elise and Moses III.
What Others are Saying About Coach Harper
"Lincoln University football hit a home run with the hiring of Moses Harper as its new head coach! He will do a great job and I can't wait to see the success he will have. The Blue Tigers are in great hands!" – Ryan Held, Head Coach at Nebraska-Kearney
"Lincoln University has hired a student of the game who is well-versed in recruiting around the country. Coach Harper will bring in top talent" – Johnnie Cole, Co-Host of HBCU Stroll and Founder of the Coaches Corner Podcast.
"Coach Harper is a consummate professional. He is a technician, a visionary, a motivator, and, most importantly, a family man. If you play for Coach Harper, you are a part of his family. He will treat his players like his own kids and will create an atmosphere of respect, dedication, trust, and pride for all." – Alan Dykens, Director of Membership Development for The American Football Coaches Association
"For years, Moses Harper has been a hardworking and dedicated assistant college coach. He has built relationships in recruiting throughout the state and region. He is the right man to take over Lincoln's program and lead them into a new conference." – Carl Reed, Jr., College Football Analyst for 247 Sports.
