Bio

Monty Roe enters his second season at Graceland as the Defensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach. He will be starting his 19th year of coaching in the Heart of American Athletic Conference and will work with the Linebackers.

In Roe’s first season as the Defensive Coordinator, he led a much-improved defense that jumped out of the bottom of the NAIA in almost every category. The Graceland Defense improved in Takeaways from 13 in 2021 to 29 in 2022, Interceptions 1 in 2021 to 15 in 2022, Sacks 6 in 2021 to 21 in 2022, and held opponents to 126 less Rushing Yards Per Game (271 in 2021 to 145 in 2022). His defense Ranked No. 1 in the Heart Conference in Touchdowns Scored and Interceptions, while also being ranked Top 30 Nationally in both. The Yellowjackets were also ranked No. 5 in Fumbles Recovered and No. 9 Interception Yards in the Nation. Roe’s defense also earned multiple All-Heart Honors, including one Second-Team defensive lineman, two Honorable Mention linebackers, and one Honorable Mention defensive lineman.

Roe came to Graceland from Missouri Valley College, where he was the Defensive Coordinator for 17 seasons. Since his arrival at Missouri Valley, the Vikings have been the No. 1 Rush Defense Team in five seasons (2005-2006, 2009-2010, 2013) and two seasons of being ranked second in Rush Defense (2007-2008). The Vikings have also led the NAIA in Scoring Defense twice (2012-2013) and led the NAIA in Pass Defense once (2011). In addition, the Vikings have led the NAIA in Total Defense once (2013) and were second in Total Defense in two seasons (2010-2011).

Coach Roe joined the Viking staff after spending five seasons as Defensive Coordinator at Wayne State College (Neb.). During his time at Wayne State his 2002 defense ranked third in Total Defense in the Northern Sun Conference, and he had the opportunity to coach seven all-conference players.

Prior to Wayne State, Coach Roe was the Defensive Coordinator (1998-99) at Dakota State University where his 1998 Defensive was ranked fourth nationally in Total Defense. Coach Roe spent the 1996 & 1997 seasons at the University of Nebraska-Kearney as a graduate assistant coaching the defensive line and outside linebackers, and the 1994 and 1995 seasons at the University of Sioux Falls as linebacker coach.

During his playing career Roe was a three-year letter winner at South Dakota State University where he played middle linebacker and defensive end. Roe transferred to the University of Sioux Falls for his senior season and was named Team Captain, Defensive Team MVP, and All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Roe received his Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from South Dakota State University in 1994 and his Master’s Degree in Adaptive Physical Education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 1997. Roe resides in Lamoni with his daughters, Elissa, Carlie and Payden.