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MARYVILLE, Mo. - Former Northwest Missouri State University football captain Brandon Clayton has been hired by Bearcat head coach Adam Dorrel to oversee the team's defensive secondary. Clayton, who played four seasons for Northwest from 2005-08, has worked the past four years as the defensive backs and special teams coordinator at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa.

"I cannot express how greatful I am that coach Dorrel called and offered me a spot on his staff," said Clayton. "There were very few places that could pull me away from Morningside, a place that has really helped me grow as a coach. But the opportunity to come back to Northwest was too much of a draw for me. I'm so thankful for my time at Morningside and everyone there who backed me all four years I was there. I could not have gone to a better place to help prepare me better to return to Northwest. I am ready to come back and be a Bearcat again."

As a defensive back, Clayton was a four-year starter and helped lead Northwest to four national championship game apperances. He was a three-time All-MIAA performer, earning second team honors as a sophomore and again as a senior. In 2008, Clayton earned third team all-region honors. For his career, he tallied 118 tackles, 22 pass breakups and four interceptions.

"Brandon was one of the first people I though of when this job came open," Dorrel said. "Not only does he have great ties to the university and the community of Maryville, but he also has demonstrated that he can coach at the highest level at one of the nation's top NAIA programs at Morningside. His numbers speak for themselves. I don't think we could have found a better fit to come in and help us achieve what we want here. I consider it an unbeliveable hire and a real home run for our program and our student-athletes."

While at Morningside, the Mustangs thrived both on the field and off the field. Defensive secondary and special teams players garnered 10 All-Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) honors while two earned AFCA First Team All-America accolades. In 2011, Colby Henderson was an AFCA All-America performer and was named the NAIA Defensive Player of the Year. Henderson was also named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Year. In 2012, Jared Goforth also earned AFCA All-America honors and was a Capital One Academic All-America performer. Punter Jordan Sitzmann was a All-GPAC performer who twice earned NAIA Scholar Athlete accolades and was an Academic All-America performer in 2013.

Morningside won four GPAC titles with Clayton on staff. In 2012, the Mustangs went 13-1 and advanced to the national title game. In the past four seasons, Morningside has recorded 78 interceptions, 185 pass breakups and 19 blocked kicks.

"I feel like I'm coming back to Northwest as a better football coach and a better man," Clayton said. "My four years working under (Morningside Coach) Steve Ryan was a great experience. Without a doubt, I've become much more organized and detailed in my job since I was last at Northwest. I have a better idea of how to reach my vision of helping each and every student-athelete who comes to Northwest succeed. I'm committed and loyal to Northwest, to Maryville, to our program and to our players. I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the Northwest coaching staff."