SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Evangel University football head coach Chuck Hepola announced the full-time hiring of Marcus Yokeley and Ryne Strickland on Friday. Both Yokeley and Strickland joined Evangel during the Spring of 2025. Yokeley will be working on the defensive side of the ball, working as a linebackers coach for the Valor, while Strickland will take over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Yokeley, a Marshall, Missouri native, comes to Evangel after coaching stops at Missouri, Lindenwood, Avila, and most recently, Missouri State, where he led the Bears as defensive coordinator from 2015-19. Yokeley obtained his Bachelors in psychology from Truman State, where he played defensive back, and his masters in education from Lindenwood. Yokeley and his wife Allison reside in Springfield.

Strickland, the Greenville, South Carolina native, coached at Jacksonville State and most recently, Shorter University, where he served as the Wide Receivers and Offensive Recruiting Coordinator for the Hawks from 2021-24. Strickland played football at Jacksonville State, where he was coached by and worked with former Evangel offensive coordinator, Cody Wells. Strickland and his wife Emilee have two daughters, Harper and Hallee, and currently reside in Springfield.

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