ALLIANCE, Ohio – The 13-time National Champion University of Mount Union football team has officially announced new coordinators for the 2026 season. Kevin Burke '15 was named the offensive coordinator and Chris Kappas '08 was named the defensive coordinator. 

"We are excited to welcome back Chris Kappas and Kevin Burke to the Mount Union football staff," said Director of Athletics Mike Parnell. "As highly distinguished former Purple Raiders with national championships on their resumes, both as assistants and players, Chris and Kevin both understand the deep tradition and standard at Mount Union and what it takes to succeed at the highest level."

"We are excited to have Chris and Kevin back to Mount Union," said Head Coach Geoff Dartt. "They both are great leaders and teachers. We are looking forward to the impact that they will have on our football program."

Burke has been an assistant coach at Division I University of California Davis for the past four seasons, including a promotion to the running backs coach.

"It's impossible to put into words what this program and what this opportunity means to me," said Burke. "I can't wait to pour my heart and soul into this place and these players once again. With these coaches, our support staff, the alumni, and the entire community, there's no ceiling to what these players can accomplish. Go Raiders!"

Kappas has been the head coach at Louisville High School the last three seasons, including leading them to the OHSAA football playoffs in 2025.

"Our family is incredibly excited to return to Mount Union after a few years away," Kappas said. "This place is so special to us—it's where my wife and I met and where we began our family. Being part of the success here, both as a player and a coach, represents some of the most meaningful years of my life. I'm looking forward to building deep, meaningful relationships with our players, helping them grow as men, and working every day to get Mount Union football back to winning national championships." 

Burke coached a Walter Payton Award finalist during his time with the Aggies. Prior to UC Davis, Burke was an assistant at Mount Union, most recently the quarterbacks coach in 2021. He also has coaching experience as an assistant at Case Western Reserve. A 2015 Mount Union graduate, Burke was the quarterback of the 2012 national championship team and then became the first player to win the Gagliardi Trophy in back-to-back years as the top all-around player in NCAA Division III Football. He holds the school record for total offensive yards in a season with 5,011 in 2014, and his 14,572 career yards of total offense are the second-best in school history.

Kappas has previously served as the defensive coordinator at Mount Union, including 2015, when he earned National Coordinator of the Year honors, helping lead the team to its 12th national championship. His defenses were at the top nationally every season. A 2008 Mount Union graduate, Kappas was a three-year letterwinner at defensive back that earned Academic All-OAC and Academic All-District honors while being a member of the 2005 and 2006 National Championship teams.

Previous coordinators Daryl Ely '09 and Junior Collins '14 both joined the football coaching staff of the University of Connecticut as assistants, under new head coach Jason Candle '03. Ely spent 15 years on the Mount Union football staff, during which he was part of three national championship teams, including serving as the defensive coordinator for the last four years. Collins was the offensive coordinator for the 2025 season after spending five total years as an assistant at Mount Union. Both were All-Americans and National Champions as players at Mount Union.