Steve Wright enters his sixth season as the defensive backs coach at D2 University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) in 2024. Wright was named the assistant head coach in January of 2023 and the defensive coordinator in April of 2023. Wright joined UAM in the spring of 2019 after spending two seasons at Missouri Western State University and 2 seasons at Missouri Western State University as the cornerbacks coach.
During his tenure with the Griffons, Wright played a key role in developing standout cornerback Brandin Dandridge, a two-time All-Conference player who now plays in the Canadian Football League. Under Wright’s guidance, Dandridge led the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) in interceptions with nine over his last two seasons and topped the conference in passes defended in 2018.
Wright began his coaching career at West Texas A&M University, serving as a Student Assistant with the defensive backs. There, he was involved in recruiting student-athletes, monitoring their academic performance, breaking down game film, and preparing scouting reports.
As a player, Wright started 21 games at cornerback for the Valley City State University Vikings, contributing to the team’s outright Conference Championship.
Wright holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Valley City State University, earned in 2014, and a Master’s Degree in Sports and Recreation Management from Missouri Western State, completed in 2019.
He resides in Monticello with his wife, Amanda, and their son, Carter.