Bio

Phil Staback enters his third season with the Graceland University Football program and his first as Head Coach, having previously served as the team’s Offensive Coordinator (2024) and Offensive Analyst (2023). His promotion reflects his instrumental role in shaping a competitive Yellowjacket offense and his long-standing mentorship under former Head Coach Patrick Ross.

Staback brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, including nine seasons (2013–2022) on the staff at Southwest Baptist University (SBU), where he primarily coached quarterbacks. Under his leadership, SBU’s offense consistently ranked among the top units in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

During his time at SBU, Staback’s offenses produced 41 All-Conference selections (4 All-MIAA, 37 All-GLVC). Among his standout players was quarterback Cooper Callis, who earned GLVC Offensive Player of the Year honors in spring 2021. He also coached three All-Americans: Sammy Zeqiraj (2016), Bubba Jenkins (2016), and Nathan Mourik (2014).

Prior to SBU, Staback served as a Graduate Assistant for Quarterbacks at Lindenwood University, his alma mater. He also played professionally for the Wichita Wild in the Indoor Football League.

Staback graduated from Lindenwood in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. As a player, he was a two-time All-American quarterback, leading Lindenwood to a 22-3 record over his final two seasons and an appearance in the 2009 NAIA National Championship game. That year, he completed 67.5% of his passes for 3,381 yards and 36 touchdowns. In 2010, he earned 1st Team All-American honors after throwing for 3,329 yards and 34 touchdowns, completing 75.3% of his passes — an NAIA single-season record for yards per attempt. He still holds NAIA career records for highest yards per pass attempt and highest percentage of passes resulting in touchdowns.

Staback was inducted into the Lindenwood Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

Originally from Santee, California, he now resides in Lamoni, Iowa, with his wife Jennifer, and their two children, Briar and Quinn.