Where did you grow up? Where did your athletic career begin?

I grew up in Bloomington, IL. In high school I was a three-season athlete playing basketball, running track and of course, playing football. Although I love a variety of sports, football was really my passion. I received First Team All-Conference honors as a Defensive End and Tight end while in high school. After high school, I played for Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL, for two years and then was fortunate enough to continue my career at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV, where I earned All-Conference honors in both seasons as a tight end.

What is your coaching resume?

I began my coaching career at Fairmont State as a tight end coach right after my playing days. After a two-year stint at Northern Michigan University, and a year at Glades Central Community High School in FL, I Eventually made my way back to Joliet JC taking a position as Assistant Coach working with quarterbacks and was an adjunct faculty member. I moved up through the ranks at Joliet becoming the Head coach/Offensive Coordinator in 2008. Unfortunately, after a successful run at Joliet including winning the Graphic Edge Bowl in my second season at the helm, Joliet JC lost their football program after the 2011 season.

From there I moved around between the levels of high school, Junior College, and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In 2015, I was lucky enough to land an internship with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015. I worked with the offensive team, mainly wide receivers, under coach George Stewart. That was a fascinating experience. It was great to get an inside look at the very secretive world of professional football.

I was hired as Assistant Football Coach at Texas College in Tyler, TX, working with the offensive line and special teams. In addition, I worked as an academic advisor for the health and kinesiology department at the University of Texas-Tyler.

Most recently I was serving as Assistant Athletic Director at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, TX.

Why Northland?

When I saw the opening with the Pioneers, I couldn't resist the opportunity to apply. I have a passion for NJCAA athletics and have seen the successes of the Pioneer program. I see a lot of myself in athletes I'm coaching at the NJCAA-DIII level. Like myself, not all players are ready to jump into a DI or DII program right out of high school. Some need to hone their skills, whether that by athletically or academically before they can be successful at the next level. I love being a catalyst in that process. I want athletes that desire to play at the next level to use the Pioneer program as a stepping stone to their future goals. Many of my former players have moved on to four-year programs and have excelled. In order to move on to the next level, players need to not only have the skills but discipline. I instill this principle from the beginning and make sure my guys are succeeding not only on the field but also in the classroom.

What should your players expect from your program?

They should expect it to feel like a four-year program. I expect order, discipline, and loyalty and I will lead this team by example. As I stated before, I put an emphasis on academics because success in the classroom equals success on the field. Academics are easy; everything else is hard. I am also up-front and honest with my players. I want them to understand if they follow the plan on the field and in the classroom, they will be successful and gain the necessary skills to move on to the next level.

I can't wait to get out into the greater Thief River Falls community and start meeting local coaches and athletes. I think it's important to recruit the talent that is right in our area. I want them to be part of the foundation of this team. I also hope to build trust in the community and want parents to feel comfortable sending their athlete to my program knowing that I have their best interests at heart.

What are your goals for the Pioneer Football Program?

I want to build upon the Pioneer's recent success and keep the good record going. It all comes down to basics—first of all, we must win at home, then we can challenge for the lead in the conference and the conference title. The next step would be to receive a bowl game invite and then ultimately win a bowl game. I hope to be the coach to deliver the Pioneer's first bowl win in program history. 

Any hobbies--what do you like to do your spare time?

In my spare time, I love to fish. I started fishing at a very young age. I cannot even remember how old I was when I picked up my first pole, I was so young. I grew up catfishing, but I love to fish for bass, crappie, and big bluegills. At least once in my life, I'd like to try ice fishing. I also play chess quite a bit, mainly online, but I have a few close friends that play when we are together (shout out to Tom). I am also a big movie goer. I enjoy watching movies at a theater. My son and daughter are my favorite movie partners. Of course, spending time with my kids is always great. I have three children, Nya who's 24, Jeremy II is 16, and my youngest Jenigh is 11.

Do you have an odd or little-known fact to share?

Not sure if this is odd, but I know for a fact that it has never happened again. During my junior season in college and my first at Fairmont State University, I was the first and only college football player to record only one catch in a game, but also record two touchdown catches in that same game.  To this day, no one has been able to guess how that is possible.