UPIKE Athletics

Fipps’ dedication to developing young athlete-leaders is evident in his work at Kentucky Christian University (KCU), where he served as both the head football coach and vice president of enrollment management and athletics.

The 2024 football season was one to remember in every way. The Bears picked up their first playoff win in school history with a 42-35 win over Baker (Kan.) in the opening round. Along the way, the team broke or tied 33 school records, including most points in a season with 498. Quarterback Lee Kirkland, the AAC offensive player of the year and a second-team All-America, broke two national records along the way, passing for 646 yards and 11 touchdowns in a single game. Offensive lineman Jordan Scott was named first-team All-America. 

Fipps came to UPike after four seasons as head football coach at KCU, where he led two of the best seasons in the Knights program history. He has carved a path through many levels of college football, beginning with his alma mater, NCAA Division II Harding University, where he played offensive tackle and obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and kinesiology.

As the athletics director, Coach Fipps oversees all aspects of UPike’s athletics programs. His extensive experience and proven leadership is instrumental in guiding the Bears to continued success and shaping the future of UPike athletics.

Coach Fipps' high flying offense led the NAIA in passing yards during the 2022 season. Fipps also led the Bears to a 6-4 (5-3 MSC) record in 2022, their best season since the 2016 campaign. Fipps also led UPike to the program's 100th all-time win after a 28-24 comeback win at Thomas More on October 29th.

The Bears followed that up with a 7-3 record in 2023 that saw them go 5-1 in their first season competing in the Appalachian Athletics Conference. It was a season highlighted by the play of quarterback Lee Kirkland, who was named Offensive Player of the Year in the league after he finished 219-for-358 in the air for 2,741 yards and 31 touchdowns. Those are now the school records in all four categories.
 
But just as impressive is this: On 358 pass attempts, he was intercepted only six times, giving him a 5.2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Fipps has carved a path through many levels of college football, beginning with his alma mater, NCAA Division II Harding University, where he played offensive tackle. While at Harding, Fipps obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and kinesiology, respectively.  

Fipps has served as the offensive coordinator at NCAA Division II Missouri Southern State University, NAIA Montana Tech, Sacramento City College, as well as at Faulkner University, where he piloted an offense that ranked first in the country with 520 yards total offense per game in 2011, concluding with a win over rival Union College 95-89.

Fipps resides in Pikeville with his wife, Dr. Jennifer Fipps, and three daughters, Kensley, Caroline, and Emery.

Fipps’ Season-By-Season Record