John Tidwell is entering his second season on the Lindenwood football staff in 2020. Tidwell will hold the title of defensive quality control, while working with the defensive backs.
In 2019, Tidwell helped Lindenwood to one of its best seasons in the NCAA era, as the Lions went 9-4 on the year with a perfect 7-0 mark in conference play to capture the GLVC Championship. Lindenwood earned a berth in the 2019 NCAA Division II Playoffs, while defeating No. 5 Ouachita Baptist in the first round.
Tidwell coached a defensive backfield that boasted two All-GLVC players, including first-team All-GLVC safety Grady Daniels. Daniels led the team with seven pass breakups, while adding one interceptions. Daniels ranked second on the team with his 120 tackles, including 66 solo stops. Ricky McCoy earned second-team All-GLVC recognition, as he led the team with three interceptions. McCoy added six pass breakups and compiled 45 total tackles.
Lindenwood tallied 10 interceptions on the season, all of which came from the defensive backfield. Tidwell and the secondary accounted for 29 of the team’s 42 pass breakups on the year. McCoy picked off a pass in the fourth quarter against McKendree, helping the Lions to a road victory. Darrius Williams recovered a fumble on the final play of the game to upset No. 24 Truman State, while Jordan Perry recovered a fumble on the final play of the game against Saginaw Valley. Lindenwood picked off three passes in the first half against Saginaw Valley, to spark a thrilling victory.
Daniels registered a key interception in the fourth quarter, helping Lindenwood to a win over Quincy. Lloyd Lockett sparked a comeback for the Lions with an interception against Missouri S&T. Perry made many big plays on the season, one of which was a blocked field goal to send the game to overtime. Perry broke up a pass on the final play of the game in overtime against Missouri S&T, posting the most home victories since the 2011 season. Perry sealed the first win for the Lions in the NCAA Division II Playoffs as he intercepted a pass with 12 seconds remaining against Ouachita Baptist.
Tidwell comes to Lindenwood after coaching the cornerbacks for the Frankfurt Universe during its 2018 German Football League Championship season. Tidwell concluded his playing career in 2016, after he signed a free agent deal with the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.
During his collegiate career, Tidwell made his mark on the field and in the classroom for the University of Sioux Falls. Tidwell earned second-team All-American honors in 2015, and was a three-time captain for the Cougars. Tidwell was a three-time first-team All-NSIC defensive player, while earning the 2014 Mineral Water Bowl MVP.
Tidwell was a first-team Capital One Academic All-American in 2015, and earned second-team all-district honors in 2014. The 2015 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Award recipient helped the Cougars to a 35-11 record over his career, with an NCAA Division II Playoff berth in 2015. Tidwell amassed 213 tackles, and 12 interceptions on 50 passes defended in his career. In the return game, Tidwell scored three times on 36 punt returns for 649 yards. Tidwell tallied 474 yards on 20 kickoff returns.
Tidwell earned his bachelor’s degree in public accounting and business from Sioux Falls.
