Northwest Missouri State University head football coach Rich Wright has announced the hiring of two new members to the Bearcat coaching staff.
 
Ryan Gent has been added as Assistant Head Coach – Wide Receivers/Director of Camps and Neil Novak has been named Assistant Coach – Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator.
 
Gent and Novak have each served previously for the Bearcats in their coaching careers. Gent served on the Bearcat football staff from 2014 through 2016. He began as a graduate assistant in 2014 and 2015 when he worked with the offensive line and running backs. He was elevated to Running Backs/Tight Ends Assistant Coach in 2016 for then head coach Adam Dorrel. Gent's tenure saw the Bearcats capture undefeated NCAA Div. II national championships in 2015 and 2016. Novak was a graduate assistant on the Bearcat coaching staff in 2017 and 2018 when he worked with the defensive backs and assisted with special teams. Novak was a part of two NCAA Div. II playoff appearances as a member of the Bearcat coaching staff.
 
Gent most recently served as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at South Dakota Mines for former Bearcat assistant coach Charlie Flohr from 2020-2023. Gent served a wide receivers coach at Abilene Christian from 2017-2019 as a part of Dorrel's staff. Gent played college football at Iowa State University from 2010-2013 and earned his degree from ISU in 2013. Gent gained his master's degree in recreation and sport management from Northwest in 2015. Gent is a native of Wellman, Iowa. He and his wife, Lauren, have two sons (Will and Leo).
 
Novak spent the previous three seasons at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. Novak coached the defensive line and the defensive backs, while also serving as the special teams coordinator for WSC. Novak helped the Wildcats to an NSIC title and a berth into the NCAA Div. II playoffs in 2022. Novak spent the 2019 season as the defensive coordinator at MidAmerica Nazarene, where he worked with current Bearcat offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy. Prior to his time at Northwest, Novak served as a graduate assistant coach at Black Hills State in 2015 and 2016 working with their safeties. Novak is a native of Rock Springs, Wyo. He played college football at Chadron State and Black Hills State. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Black Hills State in 2014. Novak gained his master's degree from Northwest in 2018. Novak and his wife, Sami, have a son, Mavrik.