ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University announced the hiring of Scott Power as its new head football coach, marking both a new chapter for the Wildcats and a return to Ellensburg for a coach whose earlier work helped elevate the program to national prominence. Power brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience across multiple levels, with a resume highlighted by defensive excellence, program development, recruiting success, and sustained competitive achievement.
"We are humbled and honored to accept this incredible opportunity to be the head football coach at Central Washington University," Power said. "We will work daily to build a program that all Wildcats can be proud of. I want to especially thank President Jim Wohlpart and Director of Athletics Dr. Dennis Francois for this opportunity. We are excited to come back to Ellensburg and start this new journey. My wife Megan and our four children Troy, Thad, Tatum, & Teryn are so excited. Go 'Cats!"
"We are extremely excited to welcome back Coach Power and his family to Central Washington University and the Ellensburg community. Over the past eight years Coach Power has gained a lot of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to lead the next era of Wildcat football," CWU Director of Athletics Dr. Dennis Francois said.
"The qualities we were looking for in our head football coach have not changed from 2014," said Francois. "First and foremost, a person of high character and integrity. Second, a person who will be a leader amongst our head coaches, someone our entire department will respect and trust, and finally a great football coach. We have been incredibly fortunate to have coaches that have embraced this role and we are confidence that Coach Power will do the same as he leads our program to new heights."
Power's coaching career began following a collegiate playing career as a linebacker at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and Hanover College, pursuing a professional playing career in Europe and the Arena Football League after. He earned his bachelor's degree in business management and economics from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Power transitioned into coaching at Benton Central High School in Indiana before moving into the college ranks, gaining early experience at Wartburg College and Marian University. During those formative years, his defenses consistently ranked among the nation's best, helping Marian reach back-to-back NAIA national championship games and capture the 2015 national title. That championship season earned Power national recognition as the 2015 NAIA Coordinator of the Year, reinforcing his reputation as one of the sport's most innovative defensive minds.
Power first arrived at Central Washington University in 2016 as defensive coordinator, a move that would prove transformative for the Wildcats. In his first season, CWU's defense showed immediate improvement, emerging as one of the most disruptive units in Division II football. The Wildcats ranked among the national leaders in total defense, rushing defense, red zone defense, and sacks, while leading all NCAA programs—across every division—in tackles for loss per game. That season, CWU routinely stifled opposing run games and reestablished a defensive identity built on physicality, speed, and discipline.
The 2017 season elevated both Power and the Wildcats onto the national stage. Central Washington posted one of the most dominant defensive campaigns in program history, finishing the season ranked 19th nationally in scoring defense and leading the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in nearly every major defensive category. The Wildcats ranked first in the nation in rushing defense and sacks and third in total defense, while producing six All-Americans, nine all-region honorees, and the D2CCA Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year. CWU completed an undefeated regular season and earned the top seed in Super Region Four.
Following his success at Central Washington, Power continued to build his resume at Texas A&M–Commerce (now East Texas A&M), where his defense ranked among the national leaders in tackles for loss, sacks, third-down defense, and pass efficiency defense while advancing to the Division II Super Region Four semifinals. He then spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at Stephen F. Austin, guiding one of the top defensive units in the FCS. Under his leadership, the Lumberjacks led the conference in multiple defensive categories, reached the NCAA FCS Playoffs, coached numerous all-conference performers, and developed several future NFL players, all while helping secure top-five FCS recruiting classes.
Power's success at the FCS level led to opportunities in the FBS, beginning with a defensive coordinator role at Louisiana Tech University. In Ruston, Power oversaw defenses that ranked among the nation's leaders in defensive touchdowns, turnovers gained, and passing defense, while mentoring conference award winners, an All-American, and a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist. He also played a pivotal role in Louisiana Tech securing the highest-rated recruiting classes in Conference USA, ranking among the top Group of Five programs nationally.
In 2024, Power was named associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Western Michigan University, where his unit forced 21 turnovers—among the top totals in the Mid-American Conference—and earned a bowl appearance to the Salute to Veterans Bowl. His work included the development of multiple all-conference players and future NFL talent. That performance led to his addition to the University of Wisconsin–Madison coaching staff in 2025, where he served as a defensive backs coach, working with the Badgers' nickel defenders and gaining experience within a Power Five program while contributing to high-level game planning, player development, and defensive structure.
Beyond his schematic success, Power is widely regarded as a relentless recruiter, a developer of NFL-caliber talent, and a coach deeply invested in player growth both on and off the field. Over the course of his career, he has coached numerous All-Americans, conference award winners, and professional players, while emphasizing academic achievement, accountability, and competitive culture.
A native of Fowler, Indiana, Power and his wife Megan are the parents of four children—Troy, Thad, Tatum, and Teryn. His return to Central Washington University represents both a homecoming and a forward-looking commitment to continuing a championship-caliber program rooted in toughness, discipline, and sustained excellence.
