Dorrel named Abilene Christian football coach

(STATS) - The worst-kept secret in college football was revealed Sunday: Abilene Christian announced Adam Dorrel as its new coach, one day after he led Northwest Missouri State to its second straight NCAA Division II title and third in the last four years.

The 42-year-old Dorrel, who signed a five-year contract, will be introduced at a news conference on campus Monday. The hiring had been in the works for several weeks, but Abilene Christian chose to wait to make its announcement after Northwest Missouri State's season ended Saturday. The Bearcats beat North Alabama 29-3 in the championship game in snowy Kansas City, Kansas.

The winningest active head coach in NCAA football, Dorrel posted a 76-8 (.905) record in six seasons guiding Northwest Missouri State.

Abilene Christian said Dorrel is the first coach with previous collegiate head coaching experience ever hired to lead its football program, which dates back to 1919.

The Wildcats' position opened last month when Ken Collums was relieved of his duties following his fifth season. They were 2-9 this year and 24-32 under Collums.

The Southland Conference program will play in a new on-campus stadium beginning in 2017. Still transitioning from the Division II level this school year, the program expects to be eligible for the FCS playoffs next season.