Football 6/22/2026 11:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Adam Dorrel Announces Staff Changes

Central Oklahoma Shuffles The Offense, Welcomes New Defensive Coaches

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma head football coach Adam Dorrel announced updates to the coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season.

"We're excited about the guys joining the team," Dorrel said. "We are fortunate to have some guys that have been with us move into new roles and we're also bringing some new guys on board that we think are going to help us right away. They're full of energy and excitement and we're looking forward to getting to fall camp and getting started."

Patrick Briningstool takes over as offensive coordinator following the resignation of Associate Head Coach James Curlee, who stepped away from coaching for personal reasons. Briningstool will continue to coach quarterbacks and lead the record-setting offense he has helped with since arriving on campus in 2023.

Hayden Ekern and Casey Kline have been hired as offensive assistant coaches. Both served as graduate assistants previously for Dorrel and the Bronchos. Ekern will coach wide receivers this fall. He previously helped lead the running backs in 2024 and 2025. Kline, who played for UCO in 2022 and 2023, has been assisting in various roles with the offense for the last two seasons. He will coach running backs this fall.

Kam Langford joined UCO this spring following the departure of Thomas Pearson. Langford, who played collegiately in the MIAA at Missouri Western, will coach linebackers. Jesse Harwell, who has spent the past two years as a sports performance coach and who helped coach linebackers, will coach safeties this season.

Central Oklahoma opens the 2026 season August 27 at Texas Wesleyan. The Bronchos visit the soon-to-be Division II squad in Fort Worth, Texas before welcoming the future Lone Star Conference school to Edmond in 2027. UCO will also play at Division I Central Arkansas on Sept. 12 before opening MIAA play at Washburn Sept. 19. The home opener for the Bronchos is scheduled for Sept. 26 against Northwest Missouri.

Print Friendly Version