GUNNISON, Colo. – Western Colorado University head football coach Jas Bains announced the hiring of Joe McLain as the next quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the Mountaineers. McLain begins his coaching duties immediately.

"I'm excited to get to work with this group of coaches and players," McLain said. "It's a program that does it right and it will be great to help coach this offense. We will be competitive and work hard."
 
Fans of Mountaineer football might remember McLain from his playing days at Chadron State College. McLain was an all-conference quarterback for the Eagles and was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2008. McLain was also named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Offensive Player of the Year and RMAC All-Academic Player of the Year that same season.
 
"We are very excited to welcome Joe McLain as quarterback coach and pass game coordinator for Mountaineer Football," Head Coach Jas Bains said. "He is very familiar with our program and the RMAC, having played and coached previously in the league. I have known Joe for over 10 years now, since he was a player.  He's a competitor."
 
During McLain's time at Chadron, the Eagles were three-time undefeated conference champions and made three national playoff appearances.
 
Most recently, McLain spent the 2018 season at Division III's Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa as the offensive coordinator. At BVU, McLain coached receivers and recruit areas in Iowa, Texas and Nebraska.
 
From 2012-15, McLain helped coach wide receivers, coordinate meetings, recruit the Denver, Colorado region and be the liaison with NFL scouts at Chadron State.
 
In 2009, McLain helped coach quarterbacks at Douglas High School in Douglas, Wyoming. That year, the team won a state title.
 
Following his stint at Douglas High, McLain spent two years as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Chadron High School in Chadron, Nebraska.
 
"He will bring a blue-collar, tough, hard-nosed personality to our offense. He has a great background in the run and pass game," Bains added. "I am very confident in Joe, and we are looking forward to getting to work this spring."
 
McLain graduated from Chadron in 2010 with a degree in mathematics education received his coaching endorsement. He earned a graduate degree in organizational management with an emphasis in sports management from Chadron State in 2012.