SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word football assistant head coach Josh Kirkland has accepted the head coaching position at New Mexico Highlands University, announced UIW head coach Eric Morris on Monday.
 
"I want to thank Josh for everything he has done for our football team over the past two years," said Morris. "He has been instrumental in the success of UIW football. I am excited for him, Marina, and their family as they enter this new chapter, and I look forward to following Josh's career as he gets the opportunity to lead his own program."
 
Kirkland joined UIW coaching staff as the assistant head coach and running backs coach in the spring of 2018. He added recruiting coordinator duties in Jan. 2019.
 
As the recruiting coordinator, Kirkland organized and planned all unofficial and official visits, as well as created the staff overall recruiting plan; he also implemented a new communication system (ARMS) for each coach to use while on the road.
 
In Kirkland's second year with the Cardinals (2019), he helped guide UIW to five wins, including two over ranked opponents (No. 25 HBU and No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana). UIW also broke several program records, including pass completions (303), pass completion percent (57.9), all-purpose yards (6,283) and total points (358).
 
In his first season with the Cardinals, Kirkland helped guide UIW to the best season in program history. The Cardinals were 1-10 overall (1-7 in Southland Conference action) in 2017 before Kirkland and the staff led them to a 6-4 regular season record, a conference championship, and the program's first FCS Playoff appearance.
 
Kirkland tutored first team All-Southland Conference selection Ra'Quanne Dickens, who recorded two 200+ yard rushing performances: 213 yards at Central Arkansas (Nov. 10); 220 yards vs. SFA (Sept. 15). Dickens went on to set multiple single season records through the 2018 season.
 
Dickens broke the program record for single season rushing yards (1,117), becoming the program's first 1000-yard rusher. He finished the season ranked second in the SLC and finished in the top 20 in the FCS in rushing yards. Dickens also set the program record for rushing touchdowns (14, which led to a program-high 84 points scored), and 100-yard rushing games in a single season (five).
 
Following the regular season, Dickens earned FCS All-American honors from both HERO Sports and FCS STATS.
 
Dickens finished his career with 1,524 rushing yards, good for fourth in program history. He racked up these yards in just two years.
 
The UIW offense also set team records in total offense (5,314), total points (357), and touchdowns (48) in 2018. Additionally, the team set single game records with most yards of total offense (656) and most all-purpose yards gained (747), both against UCA on Nov. 10.
 
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