Some coaches are content with living in the present, doing everything they can to win as many games as possible.
Friends University's Terry Harrison is not one of those coaches.
While he certainly does everything in his power to win for the Falcons, he is also focused on the future and developing student-athletes who will be successful long after their playing days are over.
Harrison came to Friends in 2021 to take over a football program that was in the midst of a rough stretch. The Falcons went 3-7 in 2019 , 2-6 in the COVID shortened season, and 1-9 in 2021. Harrison's impact was felt immediately, however, as the team went 4-7 in his first year and then finished 9-2 in 2023. In 2024, the program took a major step forward with a school record 11 wins and also won its first NAIA FCS playoff game in school history.
The success hasn't gone unnoticed, as Harrison was recently named the Victory Sports Network NAIA National Coach of the Year.
"Any time you have an individual award, it's due to team success," Harrison said. "I'm very thankful. It really speaks to the talent of our players and the awesome assistant coaches we have in our program."
A Unique Style
Harrison has never been afraid of thinking outside the box.
Before coming to Friends, he helped turn around a Bethel College program with a unique style of play on both sides of the ball. He employs a run-heavy triple-option attack on offense and an innovative 3-3 stack defense. In three years at Friends, the Falcons have already established themselves as one of the best rushing teams in the country. This past season, the Falcons set a new NAIA single-season rushing record (5,351 yards).
"We want to be the best at what we do in the country," Harrison said. "When we continue to set records like that, it shows we're reaching milestones as a program to reach our ultimate goal, which is to compete for a national championship."
Harrison knows that the offensive and defensive playbooks are just part of the equation, however. Above all else, he is a motivator and a mentor for his players. He's always quick to give them credit for the turnaround, along with the support of university administration.
"A big part of our success is that we recruited winners," Harrison said. "Our players are of the highest character, and they care deeply about each other and Friends University. They work really hard to put a product on the field that we can all be proud of. There's also a lot of momentum in our athletic department as a whole. Everyone involved with the football program is pulling in the same direction."
A Passion for Coaching
Harrison is happy to call Friends and Wichita home.
"My experience here has been phenomenal," Harrison said. "I'm very proud of Friends University. The alignment between academics, student life, and athletics is just awesome." Harrison's passion for coaching and helping student-athletes succeed on and off the field is more than evident. His focus is on creating an environment where players can thrive in every aspect of their lives. "I want this to be a program that honors God, and we strive to do that every single day," Harrison said. "We chose to come here because we feel like we can compete regularly on the national stage. We hit a major milestone this year in winning our first-ever playoff game and we hope to continue that upward trajectory next year and beyond."
In just a short period of time, Harrison has made a big impact at Friends University. He's helped transform the football program from a struggling team to a nationally competitive one. His leadership and dedication to building a positive culture have not only led to more wins on the field but have also created an environment where players can thrive.
"I'm just so thankful to be here," Harrison said.
