UCO football coach Adam Dorrel resigns after postgame outburst
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Adam Dorrel is out as UCO football coach after resigning from his position, effective immediately, the school announced Monday, Oct. 5.
Defensive coordinator Cody Swanson will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the 2026 season.
Dorrel's exit comes two days after a postgame outburst against referees in a 33-31 loss at Central Missouri.
"On behalf of the Broncho community, I want to acknowledge Coach Dorrel for his efforts over the past five seasons to build UCO's Football program into one of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association's premier teams," UCO athletic director Stan Wagnon said in a release.
"This was a difficult decision, but it is in best interest of our student-athletes and the university. His behavior Saturday night was inconsistent with the expectations we have of our leaders."
Unfortunate scene to end a pivotal MIAA game with UCO coach Adam Dorrel chasing the officials after the game. UCM coach and former Dorrel assistant Josh Lamberson calms down situation.
Video: MIAA Network. Sound: UCM Radio (Greg Hassler and Jim Svoboda) pic.twitter.com/Qy7i9bbaod
— Maryville Forum Sports (@SportsMDF) October 4, 2026
Dorrel, who was hired as UCO head coach in December 2021, went 30-21 in nearly five seasons as Bronchos head coach. He was named MIAA Coach of the Year and AFCA Region Coach of the Year after guiding UCO to an 11-2 record and the program's first MIAA title in 2024.
Months after the Bronchos' breakthrough season, Dorrel stepped away from the program after an arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol on April 3, 2025, in Edmond, according to a court affidavit.
Dorrel returned to the sideline for the 2025 season as UCO posted a 6-5 record. The Bronchos will carry a 2-3 record this season into Saturday's home game against Fort Hays State.
Adam Dorrel career coaching record
Before joining UCO, Dorrel went 19-32 as head coach for Abilene Christian (2017-21) during its transition to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level.
Before that, he won three NCAA Division II national titles at his alma mater, Northwest Missouri, going 76-8 as head coach from 2011-16.
Who is the UCO football interim coach?
Defensive coordinator Cody Swanson will serve as UCO's interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The Emporia, Kansas, native joined UCO ahead of the 2024 after serving as co-DC at NCAA Division II Gannon University in Pennsylvania — where he worked under former Oklahoma State DC Bryan Nardo.
Jeff Patterson is the sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jeff? He can be reached at jpatterson@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jeffpattOKC. Support Jeff's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Jacob Unruh is the deputy sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jacob? He can be reached at junruh@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jacobunruh. Support Jacob's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: UCO football coach Adam Dorrel resigns after postgame outburst
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