SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel University Head Football Coach Chuck Hepola announced Monday his decision to step down from his coaching responsibilities at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Hepola will continue to lead the Valor through the remainder of the season, with his final regular-season contest scheduled for November 14 against Bethany College on the road.

Hepola will continue serving as Evangel University's Athletic Director following the conclusion of the season, remaining committed to leading and advancing Evangel Athletics. His decision to step down from coaching reflects a transition in responsibilities, not a departure from the university or its athletic leadership.

The winningest football coach in Evangel University history, Hepola has recorded 75 victories during his tenure leading the Valor football program.

Hepola's legacy includes three conference championships, two NAIA playoff appearances, four conference Coach of the Year awards and national recognition as the 2023 AFCA NAIA Region 3 Coach of the Year.

He has compiled a 75-39 overall record in 11 seasons as Evangel's head coach, including a 32-18 mark in divisional play.

"After 35 years of coaching, including the last 11 as Head Football Coach, I can honestly say these have been the best years of my career. I am deeply grateful, thankful, and blessed for every player, coach, family, and opportunity God placed in my path. Solely, stepping into the Athletic Director role allows me to serve Evangel Athletics in a broader way while giving Evangel Football a new voice and a new chapter. I will leave the sideline with a full heart, hoping we made an impact that will last far beyond the scoreboard. That would be the greatest measure of success."

Evangel University Interim President Michael Kolstad indicated that a national search will commence to fill the head coaching position for the Valor.

"We are deeply grateful for Coach Hepola's leadership, dedication, and commitment to Evangel University and our student-athletes. Chuck has made a lasting impact on our football program and, more importantly, on the lives of our students," Kolstad said. "While we will miss his leadership on the sidelines, we are pleased he will continue serving as our Athletic Director. We will soon launch a national search for our next head football coach as we look forward to building on the foundation Chuck has established."

In his early years, Hepola quickly elevated the Valor to national prominence. In 2017, Evangel captured a share of the Heart South Division title, earning him back-to-back Heart South Division Coach of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018. The Valor became a fixture in the NAIA Top 20, with the 2018 and 2019 teams reaching the Top 10 and climbing as high as No. 6 nationally. The 2018 squad opened 7-0 and earned three wins over ranked opponents, including a signature victory over eventual NAIA national runner-up Benedictine.

In 2023, Hepola led Evangel to its first undefeated regular season since 2001, finishing 11-0 and earning the program's first postseason appearance since 2005. He was named KCAC and AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year.

In 2025, the Valor went 9-3, captured the Kessinger Division title for the second time in three seasons, and returned to the NAIA playoffs, earning Hepola KCAC Coach of the Year honors.

Known for building dominant defenses, Hepola has coached four Heart Defensive Players of the Year and three KCAC Defensive Players of the Year, along with one KCAC Offensive Player of the Year and one KCAC Special Teams Player of the Year. Honorees include Josh Evans, a two-time Cliff Harris Award finalist; 2018 recipient Andreas Moeller; Sam Morton (2019); Athanie Leeviraphan (2022); Dillon Hester (2023); Bradley Myers (2023 and 2024); Jonah Edwards (2024); and Zach Myers (2025), who was also named CSC NAIA Academic Team Member of the Year.

Hepola's players have also earned numerous All-American honors, including Evans, the first Associated Press All-American of his tenure, and unanimous NAIA All-American selections Moeller, Leeviraphan, and both Myers brothers.

Off the field, Hepola has placed a strong emphasis on academic achievement and the spiritual development of his athletes. Since 2016, 142 players have been named NAIA Scholar-Athletes, with the program setting records with 23 honorees in the 2024 season. His student-athletes have also earned national academic distinctions, including CSC Academic All-America honors. In 2023, 40 student athletes were baptized over the bye week following practice, beginning an annual tradition for the Valor football program. To date, 98 players and coaches have been baptized.

Before returning to Evangel, Hepola gained extensive coaching experience across multiple levels, including nine seasons in NCAA Division I. He spent five years at Nicholls State, where he served as associate head coach, special teams coordinator, and running backs coach, developing multiple All-Southland Conference players and contributing to notable program victories. His coaching career began in southwest Missouri at the high school level, with stops at Logan-Rogersville, Willard, and Hillcrest. 

Hepola earned his bachelor's degree in education from Evangel University in 1991 and his master's degree in education from Drury University in 2002. He and his wife, Kirstin, have two children and one granddaughter. Their daughter, Courtney, played soccer at Evangel, their son, Chance, played football for the Valor and is married to Jordan (Poppen), a former head cheer coach. Chance and Jordan are the proud parents of their granddaughter, Parker.