Las Vegas, NM --- The New Mexico Highlands Athletics department is pleased to announce the hiring of Josh Kirkland as the next Head Football Coach.
Kirkland joins the Cowboy nation after being at the University of Incarnate Word (UIW) as the assistant head coach and running backs coach and was named as the recruiting coordinator in January 2019.
"My family and I are so excited to be in Las Vegas to join the New Mexico Highlands family. I want to thank Eric Morris for his leadership and friendship the last two years, along with Interim AD Richard Duran for all he has done for our program in a time of transition. I also would like to thank former UIW AD Dr. Brian Wickstrom for all he did for our program under difficult circumstances.", Kirkland stated.
In his first season with the Cardinals, Kirkland helped guide UIW to the best season in program history as the Cardinals were 1-10 overall in 2017 before Kirkland and the staff led the Cardinals to a 6-4 regular season record, a conference championship, and UIW's first FCS Playoff appearance.
In Kirkland's second year with the Cardinals (2019), he helped guide UIW to five wins, including two over ranked opponents (No. 25 HBU and No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana). UIW also broke several program records, including pass completions (303), pass completion percent (57.9), all-purpose yards (6,283) and total points (358).
NMHU Athletic Director Andrew Ehling stated, "We are absolutely thrilled to have Josh, his wife and three boys join us at NMHU and the Las Vegas community. His energy, compassion, and family-minded values will serve really well as we look to build a successful football program".
Prior to UIW, Kirkland, a Levelland, Texas, native, was the athletic coordinator and head football coach at Lehman High School. Under his guidance, Lehman broke the record for passing yards and completion percentage in a single season.
In 2016, Kirkland was hired at EP Parkland and led the Matador football team (4-6 overall the previous year) to an 8-4 record and a second-round playoff appearance. Under Kirkland, Parkland led the state in rushing yards (3,924 yards) and was third in total offense (6,351 total yards).
With Kirkland as athletic coordinator, academic retention at EP Parkland increased by 27 percent in all athletic programs, while seven players signed on to college scholarships.
As the running back coach for Christian Life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kirkland coached a 9-3 team that had 2,942 yards on the ground. Josh also spent time as the offensive coordinator at Houston Westbury, where his team averaged 213.0 rushing yards per game.
Kirkland began his coaching career as a running backs coach at Daingerfield High School where three of his running backs amassed more than 1,000 yards in a 13-2 season.
Kirkland earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from West Texas A&M University in 2010 and a Master of Arts in Education, with a specialty in Teacher Leadership and Coaching, from Grand Canyon University in 2014.
Kirkland also stated, "I want thank my wonderful wife, Marina, for all the love and support for our three boys and our career. Lastly, I want to thank AD Andrew Ehling and Dr. Minner for giving me such a unique opportunity to be a part of cowboy nation".
