AT HARDING
Roddy Mote was named the 14th head football coach in Harding history on January 6, 2026. A former Bison quarterback and running back, Mote began his third stint on the coaching staff in 2016 and served as the defensive coordinator from 2017-2025 before taking the helm. He also coached at Harding from 1994-99 and 2001-04.
Coaching Highlights:
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Head Coach: Promoted to head coach in 2026 after serving as the architect of one of the nation's most dominant defenses.
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National Coordinator of the Year: Named the 2025 FootballScoop Division II Coordinator of the Year after his defense led the nation in scoring defense (10.8 ppg) and helped power the Bisons to the National Championship game.
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Championship Pedigree: Served as the defensive coordinator on Harding's 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship team and the 2025 National Runner-Up squad.
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Winning Culture: Harding has compiled a 105-17 record in the nine seasons since Mote returned to the staff. The Bisons have made eight NCAA Division II Playoff appearances during that span, reaching the national semifinals three times (2017, 2023, 2025) and the national title game twice. Mote has coached in 23 postseason games for Harding since 2016.
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Defensive Dominance: Since becoming defensive coordinator in 2017, Harding has led the Great American Conference in total defense and rushing defense for eight consecutive seasons. On the national stage, Mote's units led NCAA Division II in total defense in 2018, 2019, and 2024, and ranked No. 1 in scoring defense in 2025.
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Player Development: Has coached numerous First Team All-GAC linebackers and defenders, including All-Americans Daylan Skidmore, Sam Blankenship, Dylan Hendricks, and Clark Griffin. Under Mote’s tutelage, Griffin became Harding's NCAA-era career leader in tackles (436) and tackles for loss (45.5).
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Recognition: In addition to his 2025 Coordinator of the Year award, Mote was a finalist for the same honor in 2019, standing as the only defensive coordinator among the four finalists that year.
BEFORE HARDING
Mote took the head coaching job at Harding Academy in 2008 and led the team to state championships in 2012 and 2015, compiling a 93-12 career record.
PLAYING CAREER
Mote was a three-year letterman at Harding as a quarterback and running back from 1984-89. He was also a three-year letterman as a high school quarterback at St. Mary's (West Virginia) High School.
EDUCATION
Mote earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1989 and his master's in physical education at Harding in 1996.
FAMILY
Mote is married to the former Kim Griffin of Searcy, who teaches at Harding Academy. The couple have three children—Taylor, Tory, and Ty.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2026-present: Harding, head coach 2017-2025: Harding, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach 2016: Harding, linebackers coach 2008-2015: Harding Academy (Arkansas), head coach 2005-2007: Harding Academy (Arkansas), assistant coach 2001-2004: Harding, secondary coach 1994-1999: Harding, offensive backs coach 1991-1993: Greater Atlanta Christian, assistant coach 1990: Goodpasture Academy (Nashville, Tenn.), assistant coach 1989: The Colony (Texas) HS, assistant coach
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Harding, quarterback/running back, 1984-89 St. Mary's (West Virginia) HS, quarterback, 1981-84
