Colorado State University Athletics
Staff Directory
Kenny McClendon
- Title:
- Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line
- Email:
Kenny McClendon was hired as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach in December 2025 after spending four seasons with Jim Mora in Connecticut. He added the title of assistant head coach in 2024.
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McClendon joined the UConn staff after spending two successful seasons at Youngstown State (2020-21), preceded by two seasons at Valdosta State, where it won a national championship with its first undefeated campaign. He spent a year at Carthage College where he was the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach.
McClendon spent one season at Iowa State as a graduate assistant, helping lead the Cyclones to a school-record for wins over ranked teams (three), victories on the road (five), wins versus conference opponents (five) and Iowa State appeared in the AP national rankings for the first time in 12 years.
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He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Central Michigan, serving as a defensive graduate assistant in 2016 helping the Chippewas to a bowl berth. He also assisted his high school alma mater DeSmet Jesuit and Lindenwood (Mo.) prior to his graduate assistant position at CMU in 2015.
Personal Information
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Education: Central Michigan, 2013 (Bachelor's); 2015 (Master's)
Birthday: May 22Â
McClendon Experience
2026-Present: Colorado State (Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line)
2022-25: Connecticut (Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line, 2024-25; Defensive Line, 2022-23)
2020-21: Youngstown State (Defensive Line)
2018-19: Valdosta State (Defensive Line)
2018: Carthage College (Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Line)
2017: Iowa State (Graduate Assistant - Defensive Line)
2015-16: Central Michigan (Graduate Assistant - Defensive Line)
Playing Experience (Defensive Line)
College:Â Central Michigan (2009-13)
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McClendon joined the UConn staff after spending two successful seasons at Youngstown State (2020-21), preceded by two seasons at Valdosta State, where it won a national championship with its first undefeated campaign. He spent a year at Carthage College where he was the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach.
McClendon spent one season at Iowa State as a graduate assistant, helping lead the Cyclones to a school-record for wins over ranked teams (three), victories on the road (five), wins versus conference opponents (five) and Iowa State appeared in the AP national rankings for the first time in 12 years.
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He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Central Michigan, serving as a defensive graduate assistant in 2016 helping the Chippewas to a bowl berth. He also assisted his high school alma mater DeSmet Jesuit and Lindenwood (Mo.) prior to his graduate assistant position at CMU in 2015.
Personal Information
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Education: Central Michigan, 2013 (Bachelor's); 2015 (Master's)
Birthday: May 22Â
McClendon Experience
2026-Present: Colorado State (Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line)
2022-25: Connecticut (Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line, 2024-25; Defensive Line, 2022-23)
2020-21: Youngstown State (Defensive Line)
2018-19: Valdosta State (Defensive Line)
2018: Carthage College (Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Line)
2017: Iowa State (Graduate Assistant - Defensive Line)
2015-16: Central Michigan (Graduate Assistant - Defensive Line)
Playing Experience (Defensive Line)
College:Â Central Michigan (2009-13)
Colorado State Basketball (W): Carlson (L) and Froebe (R) Post-Game (Fresno State 25-26)
Wednesday, January 07
Colorado State Basketball (W): Ryun Williams Post-Game (New Mexico, 25-26)
Wednesday, January 07
Colorado State Basketball (M): Ali Farokhmanesh Post-Game (New Mexico)
Tuesday, January 06
Colorado State Basketball (M): Jase Butler (L) & Auggie Kiudulas (R) Post-Game (New Mexico)
Tuesday, January 06
