Emporia State football coach Garin Higgins has announced coaching roster changes ahead of the 2026 football season. Jace McDown has been promoted to defensive coordinator while offensive coordinator Vince Cashdollar will serve as assistant head coach. McDown completed his career as a four-year letterman for the Hornets and was a three-time All-MIAA linebacker for the Black & Gold. He served as a GA coaching linebackers in 2022 before joining the staff full-time in 2023 and coaching the defensive backs. He replaces Mike LoPorto who resigned following 22 years as a player and coach with the program. Cashdollar is entering his sixth season in Emporia and has also served as offensive line coach.
Jesse Williams has been hired to replace LoPorto as the defensive line coach for the Hornets. Williams spent last season as the defensive coordinator at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Okla. Williams’ experience spans from the high school level all the way up to NCAA Division I over his 37-year career. Just since 2020 he spent two years at Central Michigan and two years at Tulsa. He’s also served at Eastern Kentucky, Ohio, and New Mexico State. He coached two years at Kansas where he coached Daniel Wise to two First Team All-Big 12 honors for the Jayhawks. He’s spent time at the DII level at his alma mater Sonoma State and at Nebraska-Kearney.
The Hornets open the 2026 season on the road Thursday, August 27 at Minot State. Coverage is planned for the 2026 season on Mix 104.9.
