Kirby Cannon joined the Missouri S&T Athletics Department as the Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Game Operations in September 2026 following a 42-year career in college football coaching. Cannon previously served 11 seasons as the head coach at Missouri S&T and also held coaching positions at the NCAA Division I level at Iowa State, Central Michigan, Western Illinois and Austin Peay State.
During his tenure as Missouri S&T's head coach, Cannon led the Miners to the program's first winning season in more than 20 years in 2005. S&T followed with another winning season in 2006, marking the program's first back-to-back winning seasons in more than two decades. He was named Division II Independent Coach of the Year twice and guided the Miners to the Great Lakes Football Conference championship in 2008.
In his current role, Cannon oversees facilities and game operations for Missouri S&T Athletics, supporting the successful execution of athletic events and providing a positive experience for student-athletes, coaches, fans and visitors.
Cannon began his coaching career following his playing career at Missouri State University, where he competed in both football and baseball. He earned a bachelor's degree from Missouri State in 1981 and a master's degree from Iowa State University in 1985.
Cannon was inducted into the Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. He lives in Rolla, Missouri with his wife, Lisa. They have one son, Joshua.
