Bio

Lance Hinson was hired as the football coach of the University of Saint Mary football team on Dec. 2, 2019. He will enter his fourth year of his second stint as head coach of the Spires. 

Hinson previously coached the Spires from 2005 to the spring of 2014 and will return to the helm, effective immediately, after spending five years at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. In 2023, he will enter his 29th season of coaching college football.

Hinson served as head coach of the McMurry University football program from 2014-18. In his first McMurry campaign, the team scored a season-opening win over NCAA Division I Houston Baptist University. McMurry played a Division II schedule as a member of the Lone Star Conference. Hinson's squad followed the Houston Baptist win by upsetting NCAA II traditional powerhouse Texas A&M University Kingsville. Hinson assisted in the transition from Division II to Division III through the 2018 season.

In his first season as USM's head coach in 2005, Hinson led the Spires to their first four-game winning streak and a 5-5 record. The 2005 season featured a defense that posted three shutouts and finished nationally ranked in the top 10 in eight categories. During the 2011 season, the team posted a 7-4 conference record and finished second in the KCAC.

Before taking the USM head coaching position in 2005, Hinson served as USM's assistant coach from 2002-04. He joined the program during its formative years – in just the third season – and has been the architect in building it into a well-respected team.

From 1997-2001, he was an assistant at Baker University, working with tight ends, quarterbacks, and wide receivers. The 2000 season at Baker ended with the Wildcats going 9-2 and winning the KWTO Bowl and finishing No. 15. He also earned a master's degree from Baker.

Hinson began his coaching career at the University of North Texas as an undergraduate assistant and eventually graduate assistant, coaching the defensive line and linebackers. In 1994, he helped lead the team to an 8-2-1 record, the Southland Conference Championship, and a berth to the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs. At UNT, Hinson earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology.

Hinson is a native of Rockwall, Texas. He has three children - a son, Jake, and daughters Holly and Lily. He and his wife, Andi, reside in Leavenworth, Kansas.