Northwest Missouri State Athletics

Mike Cunningham joined the Northwest Missouri State coaching staff prior to the 2017 season. Cunningham serves as the Bearcats' offensive line coach after spending 2015 and 2016 seasons at Winona State University as the Warrior's run game coordinator and offensive line coach.

Cunningham guided Derec Weyer to second-team all-MIAA status in 2023. Wes Merriman and Jake Winslow tallied honorable mention all-MIAA status on the offensive line as well. The Bearat offensive line opened up holes to allow Jay Harris to reach 100 or more rushing yards in every game - the only NCAA performer at any level to do that in 2023.

In 2002, Mitch Goff captured second-team all-MIAA honors as the starting center for the Bearcats. 

Cunningham's crew in 2021 saw Tanner Owen earn first-team all-MIAA honors for the third straight season. Guard Gabe Bautz secured second-team all-MIAA status, while center Mitch Goff tallied honorable mention honors. Cunningham guided a line helped the Bearcat offense in 2021 that ranked No. 13 in the nation in total offense (457.5 yards per game). The line helped pave the way for Harlon Hill Trophy finalist running back Al McKeller to lead the MIAA in rushing (1,601 yards). The o-line helped keep pass rushers away from quarterback Mike Hohensee, who ranked No. 1 in the nation in passing completion percentage (73.6%) and No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency (187.3 rating). The Bearcat offense produced six games of 500 yards or more offense which was the most for Northwest since the 2013 season. 

Tanner Owen signed a free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills following the 2021 season.

A trio of offensive linemen secured all-MIAA status for the Bearcats in 2019. Tanner Owen (first team), Ryan Spelhaug (third team) and Gabe Bautz (honorable mention) helped guide Northwest to an MIAA title and a spot in the NCAA Division II playoff quarterfinals. In 2019, Northwest led the nation in red-zone scoring at 97.6%. Northwest scored 40 times in 41 red zone appearances with 33 touchdowns and seven made field goals.

Cunningham had a pair of offensive linemen earn first-team all-MIAA honors in 2018 - Zach Flott and Tanner Owen. Tanner Spelhaug notched second-team all-league status on the o-line. Northwest featured the No. 1 scoring offense in the MIAA at 36.6 points per game. Northwest rushed for 33 touchdowns and passed for 26 touchdowns in 2018.

While on staff, Winona State went 5-6 during the 2015 season and improved to 8-3 in 2016. In his first season in 2015, the Warriors allowed just 19 sacks, half of the 38 allowed the year prior to his arrival. In 2016, Winona State ran for 21 rushing touchdowns, surpassing the 13 scores in both 2015 and 2014. The team averaged 160.8 rushing yards per game, an improvement of nearly 37 yards per contest and gained 28 more first downs on the ground.

Prior to his time at Winona State, Cunningham worked with Nebraska football as an offensive staff assistant. He helped with game planning and scouting reports for the Huskers in 2014. In 2013 he served as the offensive line coach at the University of North Dakota. From 2006-12 he was the offensive line coach and running game coordinator at Minnesota State. He was also Concordia-St. Paul's offensive line coach during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Cunningham graduated from New Mexico State University in 2001 where he earned his bachelor's degree in Family Sciences. He is married to his wife, Andrea, and the couple has three children, Trevin, Alyssa and Alex.