 McConnell was named the head football coach at the College of Emporia in Emporia, Kansas before the start of the 1950 season and held that post through the completion of the 1955 season.His College of Emporia Fighting Presbies football teams posted a record of 39–12–1 in six seasons.They were champions of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) four times and made an appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl in 1954.