Elbert Kern arrived at Missouri Baptist University in 2014 and currently serves as Running Backs Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, and Football's Academic and Eligibility Liaison.
Prior to his time at MBU, Kern spent five seasons as the Head Coach at Springfield Southeast High School (Ill.). He took the helm in 2009 and led the Southeast Spartans football program to its best record since 2002 with a 4-5 record. Before Southeast, Kern led Chicago Academy High School, a second year varsity program, to a 6-3 Conference Co-Championship in 2007 and repeated in 2008.
Kern led Chicago Steinmetz to a 10-2 record in 2006 and to its fourth conference title. That same year, Steinmetz won the Chicago Divisional Title for the second time. Kern also guided Steinmetz to consecutive state playoff berths in 2003 and 2004. In 2001, Steinmetz was the Chicago Public League North Co-Conference Champions with a 7-2 record. In 2002, the National Statistician Poll ranked Steinmetz fourth in the Nation among all 6A teams. That same year, Steinmetz won the Chicago Big Shoulder Conference and Divisional Championship with a 12-1 record, which broke the school’s all-time record held by the 1977 team (8-1).
Kern is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He played four years of football at North Park College. Kern led North Park in rushing yards with an average of 4.9 yards a carry in 1992. As a senior, Kern was named Team MVP. He graduated in 1993 with a major in Physical Education and received his Master of Arts Degree in Teacher Leadership from North Park University in 2003. He also served as Athletic Director, Dean of Students and Head Football Coach at Chicago Steinmetz and Chicago Academy High School.
Kern is married with three sons – Malik, Zach and Jordan – and one daughter – Sarah. His sons have played or are playing football at Missouri Baptist.
ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS, AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
- IHSA Hall of Fame nominee – March 2020
- Featured in MBU Magazine, "A Coaching Philosophy Rooted in Faith" – October 2019
- Featured in Chicago Tribune, "When Life Rewrites the Playbook" – January 2007
- Mayor Daley Resolution Recipient – 2007
- Chicago Public Schools Chicago Conference Coach of the Year – 2006
- Chicago Bears "Week 8" Coach of the Week – 2003
- Chicago Public Schools Illini Conference Coach of the Year – 2003
- Chicago Public Schools Chicago Conference Coach of the Year – 2002
FOOTBALL PLAYING CAREER
- North Park University – 1988-1992
EDUCATION
- Master of Arts in Educational Leadership – North Park University – May 2003
- Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education & Recreation – North Park College – May 1993
YEAR-BY-YEAR
2019 – Special teams under Kern recorded two punt/kick returns for a touchdown...Kickoff return finished 11th in the NAIA and 2nd in the MSFA Midwest...Punt return tied for 28th in the NAIA and 5th in the MSFA Midwest...Michael Malone finished 4th overall in the NAIA averaging 28.1 yards per kickoff return...A record 12 football players were selected to te MSFA Football All-Academic Team
2018 – Became Special Teams Coordinator in 2018...PAT team went 23-for-23 (1.000)...Coached running back Chris Baldwin to a record-breaking season including a single-game record of 243 rushing yards (6.94 YPC), first MBU running back to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season, and first running back with four rushing TDs in a single game ; Baldwin finish 2018 with 1,274 yards, 5.0 yards per carry and 13 TDs...Had 7 Spartans named to the MSFA Football All-Academic Team with one of six players with a perfect 4.0 GPA (Zack Kern).
2017 – Became Kickoff Return Coordinator in 2017...Finished the season 4th in the MSFA Mideast for kickoff return average of 23.3 yards...Return specialist Kendell Davis earned MSFA Second Team All-Conference...Had 4 MSFA Football All-Academic Team selection.
