Kenneth Apande is the athletic director for the North American University athletics department. He was also named the first head football coach in North American University history on January 1, 2019. Director Apande brings over 14 years of football coaching experience from a mixture of levels(HS, College, & Pro Indoor). One of the biggest accomplishments is getting NAU athletics into the NAIA in 2022. He strives to help young men and women transition into young professionals.
During his high school coaching experience, his first coaching job was at 5A Clear Lake HS in Houston Texas. He was there from 2007- 2009. He served as a football assistant for the secondary. Director Apande helped Clear Lake HS with a playoff berth in 2008-2009. Within those years he helped create numerous all-district and 2 all-state players. He also coached at the Village School in Houston Texas from 2015- 2019. Director Apande was the Co-defensive coordinator, wide receivers coach, and defensive back coach. He helped the Village School reach two back-to-back TAPPS state championships in 2017 and 2018. Both years his secondary lead the division in interceptions. He also helped coach numerous 1st team, 2nd team, and honorable mentions all-state players during his time at the Village School. During his time at the high school level, his goal was to help student athletes attain scholarships.
In 2009-2011 director Apande was an assistant football coach at Missouri Valley College. He was a running back coach in 2009. He helped produce a running back with over 1000 yards for the season and a playoff berth in the HAAC conference. In 2010 director Apande was the Head Junior Varsity coach for Missouri Valley and Defensive back assistant on the Varsity. During his time at MVC he helped produce All-Conference and All-American players. In 2020- present, director Apande has transitioned the North American University football program from club program to being a varsity program under the umbrella of the NAIA. NAU strives to be conference contenders, national contenders, and respected as one of the best football programs in the NAIA. In 2021 he had his first winning season at 5-4 and in 2022 he won the first bowl game in school history(FloTex Bowl 34-0).
Director Apande earned his bachelor's degree in Biology from Missouri Valley College in 2006. While at MVC, he was an all-conference indoor and outdoor track athlete. In football, he was also a 4-year starter at defensive back. He was a team captain and 2-time all-conference cornerback. Director Apande got invited to a Mixed divisions Senior Bowl game and was named MVP of the game (2 ints, 2 PBU, 5 tackles, 145 all-purpose yards, & 1TD). He then played AF1/AF2/indoor professional football for 5 years. Director Apande got his master's in business management from Lindenwood University in 2011. Director Apande has two boys, Kellan and Isaiah Apande.
