Conrad was named Defensive Coordinator for the RiverHawks' football program in January 2019 after three seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce.
During his three seasons at A&M-Commerce, Conrad went 35-6, with three NCAA Postseason appearances, and assisted the Lions to a National Championship.
In 2018, Conrad was promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach for the Lions. Conrad worked with the Sam/Mike/Will linebacker positions and coordinated the kickoff coverage unit.
Conrad’s defense was seventh nationally in third down defense (26.7%), 29th in total defense (309.9), and 32nd in scoring defense (20.2). In the Lone Star Conference (LSC), A&M-Commerce was second in total defense, and second in scoring defense. Conrad’s kickoff coverage unit was first in the LSC and first nationally in kickoff return defense (10.87). The Lions finished the 2018 season with a 10-3 record, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Playoffs. Two of Conrad’s linebackers earned All-Conference recognition, including First Team selection Brucks Saathoff.
Conrad recruited the DFW Metro (South Dallas) and Southern/Central California junior colleges.
During the 2017 Lions' National Championship season, the linebacking unit featured three of the top four tacklers for the team's championship caliber defense. Under Conrad, Brucks Saathoff was named First Team All-Lone Star Conference, finishing with 101 tackles. Neema Behbahani and Travon Blanchard were both named Honorable Mention All-LSC and Garrett Blubaugh was named to the All-LSC Academic team. During the National Championship week, Blubaugh received the Elite 90 Award, given to the player with the best cumulative GPA in the national championship game.
The 2017 Lions fielded one of the top defenses in the nation; finishing 9th in the country in interceptions (19), 11th in defensive passing efficiency (98.41), 13th in tackles for loss per game (8.5), 15th in scoring defense (16.7) and 20th in both red zone defense (70%) and sacks (44). The Lions finished with the best total defense in the LSC (303.4), which featured the best passing defense (181.5) and the second best rushing defense (121.9). The Lions were also 1st in the LSC in opponent yards per rush (3.06). Furthermore, they led the LSC in turnovers forced (25). In addition, Conrad coordinated the kickoff coverage unit, which finished 1st in the nation with an 11.67 opponent yards per return average. In fact, this mark was not only the best in Division II, but tops in all of NCAA football.
During the 2016 season, the linebacker unit featured four of the team’s top five leading tacklers and had five players record at least one interception. Under Conrad's coaching, linebackers Brucks Saathoff, Hatari Byrd and Cameron Rogers garnered Honorable Mention All-Lone Star Conference honors. The team finished 11-2 to win its third consecutive LSC Championship. The Lions went on to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament, achieving their first NCAA playoff win since 1991.
The Lion defense led the nation in turnovers gained (38) and led the LSC in scoring defense (21.7). The Lions also finished 2nd in the LSC in third down defense (32 percent), 2nd nationally in defensive touchdowns (7) and 23rd nationally in red zone defense (68.4 percent). In addition, Conrad coordinated the kickoff coverage unit, which finished 1st in the LSC and 2nd nationally in kickoff coverage defense with a 12.78 opponent yards per return average.
Prior to arriving in Commerce, Conrad was on the defensive staff at the University of Arkansas. The 2015 Razorbacks went 8-5 overall and 5-3 in the SEC. Arkansas finished the season with a 45-23 win over Kansas State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. While in Fayetteville, Conrad assisted the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and was responsible for executing numerous duties, including breaking down opponent film and preparing defensive practice scripts.
The 2014 Arkansas defense was one of the program’s best in recent memory. The unit finished in the top 10 nationally in both scoring and total defense for the first time since joining the SEC in 1992. The Razorbacks also became the first unranked team in college football history to post back-to-back shutouts of ranked opponents when they blanked No. 20 LSU and No. 8 Ole Miss. Arkansas capped off the year with a dominant 31-7 win over Texas in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.
Conrad spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at Iowa State. The Cyclones ranked third in the Big 12 in scoring defense in 2012 and capped the season in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Iowa State returned three interceptions for touchdowns that year, the team’s highest total since 2004. In his time in Ames, Conrad helped produce three All-Big 12 defensive backs.
Conrad spent the 2011 season as assistant secondary coach at West Texas A&M. The team finished an 8-3 season with a victory over Central Missouri in the Kanza Bowl and produced four all-conference defensive backs off a defense that led the LSC in scoring defense, total defense and pass efficiency defense. In 2010, he coached outside linebackers at Aldine Senior High School in Houston, Texas.
The Dyersville, Iowa native began his coaching career as a student assistant and manager at Iowa State, helping the Cyclones reach the 2009 Insight Bowl, where they defeated Minnesota 14-13. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2010 and maintained a 4.0 grade-point average while earning his master’s degree in higher education in 2013 from Iowa State.
Prior to attending Iowa State, Conrad played defensive back at Simpson College and was a two-year varsity starter at cornerback at Beckman Catholic High School.
Conrad and his wife Tate reside in Tahlequah.
The Conrad File
Hometown: Dyersville, Iowa
High School: Beckman Catholic
College: Iowa State University (Bachelor's: 2010 / Master's 2013)
Playing Experience: Simpson College
Family: Tate (Wife)
Coaching Experience
2019-Present: Northeastern State University | Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
2018: Texas A&M University-Commerce | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
2016-2017: Texas A&M University-Commerce | Linebackers Coach
2014-2015: University of Arkansas | Defensive Quality Control Coach/Linebackers
2012-2013: Iowa State University | Defensive Graduate Assistant/Secondary
2011: West Texas A&M University | Assistant Secondary Coach
2010: Aldine Senior High School (Houston, TX) | Varsity Assistant/Outside Linebackers
2007-2010: Iowa State University | Student Assistant/Manager
