Athletic Department Announces Hiring of New Esports Head Coach

Marshall, Mo., (March 16, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College Athletic Department announces the hiring of a new Esports coach to lead the program.

Julian Henderson has been hired as the program's new head coach.  Henderson was a four-year member of the Esports program as a student at the University of Central Missouri, and has experience with Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and Valorant. 

"I'm really excited and grateful to have the opportunity to operate and lead Missouri Valley College's Esports program," said Henderson.  "I look forward to building this program up to be bigger and better than ever. I am appreciative of President Dr. Joe Parisi and Athletic Director Marsha Lashley for giving me the opportunity."

The MVC Esports program currently has rosters for Marvel Rivals and Rocket League, and Henderson will work on possibly adding Valorant, Apex Legends, Super Smash Bros and League of Legends to its competitive games list.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Julian Henderson as our new Esports Head Coach," said Assistant Athletic Director Stephen Main.  "His passion for higher education, student development and competitive excellence makes him a perfect fit for our program, and I'm excited for the future of Missouri Valley Esports under his leadership."

The Rocket League program won the Heart of America Athletic Conference title in 2025.  Previously, the Esports program won National titles in CS:GO, in 2023, and Call of Duty, in 2022.

About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.