Northwest Missouri State will stay in-house for its new head football coach.
Defensive coordinator Scott Bostwick was named as the Bearcats' head coach Friday, replacing Mel Tjeerdsma. Tjeerdsma announced his retirement last week after 17 seasons at the university.
"I've been a coordinator for 26 years and if I was ever going to be a head coach, this is where I wanted to be," Bostwick said. "It would be a challenge for anyone to try to walk in Mel's shoes, but I'm excited for it. It's what I've wanted, it's why I've stayed here and here it is.
"The Bearcat Paw represents a lot to Northwest faculty, alumni and past players and I want to uphold the traditions of what it has stood for the last 15 years. Our work ethic, commitment and preparation will not change."
Bostwick, the 2007 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, has been the Bearcats' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach since Tjeerdsma arrived in 1994.
In that span, the Bearcats have won three NCAA Division II titles, four runner-up finishes and 12 MIAA titles.