Mike Kershaw

Mike Kershaw was named the head football coach for Mississippi College on December 19, 2023.

Kershaw, known for his successful tenure at Rice University, joins Mississippi College with a wealth of experience, a strong leadership acumen, and a high-tempo offensive strategy to elevate the Choctaws' football program.

Kershaw's arrival follows a remarkable coaching stint at Rice University, where he helped to steer the Owls to commendable success, culminating in a 6-6 overall record in the 2023 season—a milestone achievement marking the team's highest win total since 2014.

During his tenure at Rice, Kershaw played a pivotal role in leading the Owls to consecutive bowl berths, with an appearance in the 2023 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.

Under Kershaw's guidance, the Owls' offensive prowess shone brightly, averaging 30.25 points per game and demonstrating a balanced attack, amassing 376.8 yards per game—264.17 passing yards and 112.6 rushing yards. Quarterback JT Daniels concluded the regular season with impressive stats, showcasing his talent with 2,443 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

The Owls' offense boasted a formidable receiving unit, led by Luke McCaffrey, with 963 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, showcasing the team's depth with multiple receivers surpassing the 350-yard mark. Additionally, running back Dean Conners contributed significantly with 737 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and an impressive 6.7 yards per rush.

Kershaw's coaching expertise extends beyond wide receivers, having coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, and safeties at Delta State University. His tenure at DSU included guiding the top-ranked offense in Division II in 2004 and leading the 2006 squad to the NCAA Division II National Championship semi-finals.

Prior to Mississippi College, Mike spent five seasons as the wide receivers coach for Rice. He was promoted to wide receivers coach on March 1, 2019, after returning to coaching in 2018 as an offensive assistant for the Owls in Mike Bloomgren’s first season.  Kershaw previously coached with Bloomgren for two years at Delta State University (2005-06). 

Kershaw’s receiving corps is come off one of the most productive years in recent history as they combined for eight 100-yard receiving games, the most since the record-setting 2008 team that combined for 17.  Luke McCaffrey led the team with 58 receptions in 11 games in his first year as a wide receiver, which ranks ninth in school history.  He was second with 723 yards and six touchdowns, both marks falling just short of cracking the single-season list.   In only his second year at the position, wide receiver Luke McCaffrey was a gamebreaker for Rice and a surefire pick for the 2023 Rice Football Offensive Player of the Year. McCaffrey became a 2023 Senior Bowl participant as well receiving an invite to the 2024 NFL Combine.

Kershaw coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, and safeties at Delta State, helping guide the top-ranked offense in Division II in 2004 and the 2006 squad to the NCAA Division II National Championship semi-finals.  He also served as DSU’s recruiting coordinator from 2004-06. 
 
He produced a pair of two-time All-Americans at Delta State including quarterback Scott Eyster, who remains DSU’s career passing leader as well as two others who were twice honored as honorable mention All-Americans.  Overall, he has produced 17 all-conference selections in his coaching career.

He was a standout quarterback for DSU for two seasons, leading the team to its first Gulf South Conference championship in 1998.  He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 2000 and his Masters of Education in 2003 while at Delta State. 

Kershaw entered the insurance business in 2007 and opened his an agency in Austin in 2009, and saw the agency win Texas Monthly’s Five Star Professional Award Winner for outstanding Customer Service four times. 

He is the son of former CFL executive Phil Kershaw, who served as president of both Saskatchewan and Ottawa as well as CFL Chairman in 1991-92

Kershaw and wife Kristi are parents to a stepdaughter Riley and son Karson.Â