Andrew Rice was named SWOSU's head coach on December 13, 2023.
In his first season leading the Bulldogs, he guided the program to a 3-8 record — a strong turnaround from a winless 0-11 campaign the year before his arrival. The 2024 season was highlighted by a dominant 50-0 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State in the finale, marking the program’s first shutout in more than 20 years. Four Bulldogs earned All-Great American Conference honors under Rice in year one, the most All-GAC selections for SWOSU since 2016. Among them was defensive back Desmond Greene, who became the program’s seventh All-Super Region 3 honoree after leading NCAA Division II in interceptions per game and finishing the year with seven total picks.
In 2024, the Dawgs were opportunistic on defense, ranking fourth in Division II in takeaways, 12th in interceptions, and 20th in red zone defense. Within the Great American Conference, SWOSU led the league in takeaways, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and interceptions.
Prior to SWOSU, Rice spent the past two years as a successful Offensive Coordinator at Southern Arkansas University but has a decade of coaching experience throughout Oklahoma's high school and collegiate landscapes as an Oklahoma native himself. He replaces
Ruzell McCoy who served as SWOSU's interim coach for the 2023 season.
Rice began his coaching career climbing through the high school ranks with positions at Bixby, Charles Page, and Bartlesville before earning a head coaching role at Miami (OK) High School. He then transitioned to the college game where he has remained for the past six years. Rice coached for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) before moving on to the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and finally Southern Arkansas.
Rice had the Mulerider offense operating on a national level while at Southern Arkansas. SAU was third in NCAA Division II in rushing and fifth in total offense in 2023 after ranking sixth nationally in both rushing and third down conversion percentage a year prior.
The Muleriders finished 10-2 this season, earning the first postseason win in the program's D2 era with a 43-27 victory over Missouri Western in the Live United Bowl. It was SAU's first double-digit win total in over 70 years, thanks in large part to an offense averaging over 38.5 points and 477 yards per game.
Prior to Southern Arkansas, Rice was at UCO as the Passing Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach where he headed the recruitment for the OKC/Tulsa area.
He began his collegiate coaching career as the Offensive Coordinator at NEO. Rice guided a Norseman offense that finished third in the country in total offense and featured the conference's offensive MVP. NEO finished 8-3, reaching the SWJCFC championship game while also making an appearance in the 2019 Midwest Classic Bowl.
Originally from Owasso, Oklahoma, Rice obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health & Physical Education from Northeastern State University in 2012 following a playing career with the RiverHawks where he was a member of NSU's Lone Star Conference North Division Championship team.
The Rice File
Coaching Career
2023-pres.: SWOSU: (Head Coach)
2022-23: Southern Arkansas (Offensive Coordinator / QBs)
2020-21: Central Oklahoma (Passing Game Coordinator / Wide Receivers)
2018-20: Northeastern A&M College (Offensive, Recruiting, Academic Coordinator)
2017-18: Miami HS (Head Coach)
2015-17: Bartlesville HS (Offensive Coordinator)
2013-15: Charles Page HS (Offensive Coordinator)
2012: Bixby HS (Offensive Assistant)
Playing Career
Northeastern State
2008-11
Education
Northeastern State University
Bachelor of Science Degree in Health & Physical Education, 2012
