Max Denning has been announced as the inaugural head coach for the Marian University women’s flag football program.
 
“I want to welcome Max to Marian University,” said Director of Athletics Tony Draves.  “I’m excited for Max to start our women’s flag football program and help grow a sport on our campus that is exploding nationwide.  Our inaugural season in the spring of 2026 is going to be exciting.”
 
Denning comes to Marian with a diverse background in football including experience coaching women’s football with the Oregon Ravens of the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC).  He served as an assistant coach with the Ravens for two seasons primarily focusing on the linebackers.  The WNFC was founded in 2018 and competed in its inaugural season in 2019.  It is one of two major women’s tackle football leagues in the world along with the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA).  Denning also served an associate defensive coordinator for Roosevelt High School during his time in his home state of Oregon.
 
Since 2022, Denning has served in several roles with his most local stop being a recruiting analyst for UW-Oshkosh.  While with the Titans he evaluated and analyzed game film of recruits using his in-depth knowledge to identify key talents and areas for development.  He also produced weekly evaluations and was a key proponent in the recruitment strategy for UWO.
 
Denning also spent time overseas in the United Kingdom serving as a defensive coordinator for the Bristol Aztecs of the BAFA National League, the highest level of British American football, and an associate defensive coordinator with SGS College.  With SGS College, he directed the defensive line and linebacking core helping lead the program to its first national championship and undefeated season.  He also saw plenty of success with the Aztecs helping lead Bristol to back-to-back seasons with an 8-2 record in 2023 and 2024, the best record in the organization’s history.
 
“I am so excited to lead the women’s flag football program at Marian,” said Denning.  “The community here is buzzing to support women’s flag football and this is a special opportunity to build something from the ground up.  I look forward to developing a program that prioritizes character, academic, and athletic development for all students in our program.”
 
He studied at Ithaca College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.