Bolivar, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University head football coach Paul Hansen has announced the hiring of Imante Griffin as the program's new linebacker's coach.

"I am very excited to Coach Griffin here at SBU," Hansen said. "His energy and experiences will help our linebackers grow on and off the field. I am excited to work with Coach Griffin and help get our defense to the top of the conference."

Griffin reunites with Hansen after playing under him at MidAmerica Nazarene during the 2020 and 2021 seasons before joining Hansen's coaching staff from 2022-24. Together, the duo helped lead the Pioneers to two conference championships while building one of the nation's top defensive units.

In 2024, Griffin helped coach a defense that finished ranked among the nation's top 15 while developing 12 All-Conference selections and three All-Americans, including linebacker Jonathan Brown. Griffin also brings valuable experience in recruiting and player development after helping recruit more than 30 student-athletes to MidAmerica Nazarene.

"I'm very excited to take the next chapter in my coaching career and join the coaching staff at SBU," Griffin said. "I'm very excited to coach, mentor, and develop this talented group of linebackers on and off the field."

Griffin graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from MidAmerica in May of 2022. He later went on to earn his Master of Science in Management in May of 2024 also from MidAmerica. Imante Griffin is familiar with the Missouri football scene, as he spent his High School years at Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis.