California State University - Sacramento Men's Football

Alonzo Carter was named the 14th head football coach in Sacramento State history on Dec. 15, 2025.   Known for his recruiting ability and deep roots in Northern California, Carter is coming home and most recently served as the assistant head coach and running backs coach at the University of Arizona. Additionally, he has experience as a head coach at the high school and junior college levels.   Carter has spent the past nine seasons working under Brett Brennan at San Jose State and at the University of Arizona. He joined the Spartans football coaching staff in January 2017 as the running backs coach and added the duties of assistant head coach in 2021. After a successful run at SJSU which included three bowl appearances, he joined the Arizona staff prior to the 2024 season.   This season, the Wildcats went 9-3 in the regular season and will play in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl on Jan. 2. The team rushed for 2,143 yards and 20 touchdowns and was led by Ismail Mahdi who had 826 yards and four scores. That effort helped Mahdi earn all-Big 12 Conference honors.   In his role as assistant head coach, he aided in the administration of the program, led practices and meetings in the head coach's absence and represented the team at campus and community events.   During Carter's final season at San Jose State (2023), running back Kairee Robinson finished second in the Mountain West Conference with a career-high 1,194 rushing yards and led the conference with a career-high 18 rushing touchdowns.     Carter's running backs played a large role in helping the Spartans go 7-1 overall in 2020, win the Mountain West title and end the season ranked 24th in the AP Poll. The San Jose State backs averaged 4.5 yards per rush and became one of the first two teams in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history to complete a season without losing a fumble by a ball handler on offense, defense, and special teams.     As a head coach at Contra Costa JC from 2010-16, Carter led the team to four conference titles and a pair of bowl victories. In 2012, his team won the Bay Valley Conference, he was named the league coach of the year as well as the CCCFA Region II Coach of the Year. He added a second BVC title the following season and then won Pacific 7 Conference titles in 2014 and 2015. The team advanced to win the Living Breath Foundation Bowl in 2012 and 2014.   Prior to that position, Carter was the head coach at McClymonds High School in Oakland, Calif., for seven years (1999-06) where he won three CIF Oakland Section titles. He was also the head coach at  Berkeley HS for three seasons (2007-09) and the head track and field coach at McClymonds High School for 13 years. Overall, he owns a 129-69-3 record as a head coach.   During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and up to the start of the delayed season, Carter became a national figure through his West Coast Zoom clinics — weekly sessions involving hundreds of football coaches. Rooted in listening, learning and networking, he relied on his professional connections and hosted engaging ZOOM calls lasting up to seven hours, either once or twice a week. For his use of the Zoom technology platform, he received a 2020 Zoomtopia award for innovation — emphasis on diversity: bridging the divide.    In August 2020, he was named to the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches (NCMFC) executive committee. The organization's goal is to identify and groom coaches of color and create a list of coaching candidates for upward mobility. The NCMFC recognized his organizational commitment through his recruitment of more than 100 new members, providing mentoring, and mock interview sessions with its MVP Advocate Award for 2020. Since August 2020, he assisted 26 NCMFC members that advanced to coaching positions of greater responsibility or visibility.    Carter was inducted into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Contra Costa JC Hall of Fame in 2025. He holds coaching certifications from the American Football Coaches Association, the California Interscholastic Federation and the California Community College Athletic Association. Carter was selected to participate in the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship program in 2017 with the San Francisco 49ers.    Carter graduated from Cal State East Bay with a degree in African American studies in 2016. He was a member of the Pioneers' football and track and field teams while the school was known as Cal State Hayward. Carter is the father of four children: Alonzo Carter II, Alona Carter, Anthony Carter, and Kennedie Carter.   COACH CARTER FILE 247sports.com Mountain West Recruiter of the Year (2019)  CCCAA Coach of the Year (2012, 2014, 2015)  Alameda Contra Costa Area League Coach of the Year (2009)  Named the East Bay Coach of the Year (2001, 2005, 2006) Contra Costa Hall of Fame, Class of 2025 Head coach at Contra Costa College (2010-16) Went 47-27 and won four conference titles Head coach at Berkeley HS in Berkeley, Calif. (2007-09)  Head coach at McClymonds HS in Oakland, Calif. (1999-06)  Won four league championships and three Oakland Section titles in eight seasons

Former Sacramento State player and coach Angus McClure returned to the Hornets in December 2025. McClure will serve as the associate head coach and offensive line coach.   McClure began his association with Sacramento State as a student-athlete where he played football from 1987-91 and later served as a member of the faculty from 1997-2004. He was on the 1988 Hornet team that advanced to the NCAA Division II championship semifinals with an offense which averaged 486.0 yards per game.   As the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Sacramento State where he played a major role in record-breaking offenses. During his tenure, the Hornets set 52 NCAA Division I-AA, Big Sky Conference, or school records. He coached 20 all-Big Sky conference honorees and had six of his players sign NFL contracts. One of McClure's pupils, Lonie Paxton of the Patriots (also Broncos), went on to collect three Super Bowl rings. Another, Marco Cavka, was drafted by the Jets. In addition, five Sacramento State players earned All-American honors and four were chosen to participate in college all-star games. In his seven seasons, the Hornets led the Big Sky in rushing four times (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002).   McClure most recently served as an offensive analyst at Kansas from 2024-25. The season before, McClure completed his third stop at Nevada, serving as the run game coordinator/offensive line coach during the 2023 season. His first association with the Wolf Pack began in 1996 as the tight ends coach. He helped the Wolf Pack to the Big West title and Las Vegas Bowl championship. His tight ends produced a school-record 13 touchdowns during the season. Nevada led NCAA Div. I with 527.3 yard per game of total offense and topped The Big West in both rushing and passing.   McClure returned to the Wolf Pack for 2018-19 where he coached the offensive line. The Wolf Pack offensive line boasted 1.31 sacks allowed average, which ranked fourth in the Mountain West and was 18th-best in the nation. Under McClure’s guidance the Pack placed two members of its offensive line, Sean Krepsz and Jake Nelson, on the all-Mountain West honorable mention list for the first time. Additionally, Nevada blocked all season for running back Toa Taua, who was named the MW Freshman of the Year. Nevada advanced to bowl games in both seasons, winning the 2018 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. From 2020-22, McClure coached at California, mentoring the Golden Bear offensive line. Under his guidance, Golden Bear offensive linemen earned five all-Pac-12 honors. McClure spent 11 seasons at UCLA where he oversaw the team’s recruiting and coached the offensive and defensive lines during that span. The Bruins’ recruiting classes were ranked among the top 20 each year and he was named among the top 25 recruiters in college football by Rivals in 2023.   In addition, UCLA had a defensive lineman selected in eight NFL drafts, including three selected in the first rounds (Datone Jones, Kenny Clark, Takkarist McKinley). UCLA played in eight bowl games during his 11 seasons, earning victories in the 2009 Eagle Bank Bowl, the 2013 Sun Bowl and 2014 Alamo Bowl.    Over his time as a Bruin coach, McClure tutored a number of NFL players:  Cassius Marsh (Seahawks/Patriots/49ers/Cardinals/Jaguars/Colts/Steelers/Bears), Datone Jones (Packers/Vikings/Lions/49ers/Cowboys), Kevin McDermott (49ers/Ravens/Vikings), Logan Paulsen (Redskins/Bears/49ers), Matthew Slater (Patriots), Mike Harris (Chargers/Vikings), Nate Chandler (Panthers/Bears), Jeff Baca (Vikings/Chargers), Jeff Locke (Vikings/Colts), Cory Harkey (Rams), Kai Forbath (Redskins/Saints/Vikings), Christian Yount (Browns/Patriots), Takkarist McKinley (Falcons/Raiders/Browns/Titans/Rams/Cowboys/Jets), Eddie Vanderdoes (Raiders/Texans/49erse), Kenny Clark (Packers/Cowboys) and Eli Ankou (Texans/Jaguars/Browns/Colts/Cowboys/Falcons/Bills/Steelers/Titans).    McClure went to UCLA after serving as the offensive line/run game coordinator on Turner Gill's staff at Buffalo in 2006. Buffalo scored more points (201) in conference games than any other team in the Mid-American Conference East Division. Running back James Starks earned second team all-MAC honors and was an honorable mention Freshman All-American by The Sporting News. Offensive lineman Jamie Richard was drafted and became a starter for the Indianapolis Colts.    McClure spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons as an assistant on Bill Callahan's staff at Nebraska. He assisted with the offensive line, coaching tackles, as well as working with the special teams. The Cornhuskers defeated Michigan in the 2005 Alamo Bowl. McClure pupil Matt Slauson was named Freshman All-American. As a Husker coach, McClure tutored a number of NFL bound players: Matt Slauson (Jets), Lydon Murtha (Dolphins), Chris Patrick (Giants) and Sam Koch (Ravens).    McClure has served as a guest coach in several NFL camps over the years, including the Dallas Cowboys (2013), Buffalo Bills (2007, 2006), San Francisco 49ers (2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996), Seattle Seahawks (1998) and San Diego Chargers (2011, 2012, 1997). He began his coaching career at McClatchy High School in Sacramento as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 1992-95 while also coaching the offensive line and tight ends. McClure was a four-sport letterwinner at San Rafael HS in football, basketball, baseball and boxing, as well as a team captain, and never had a losing season in any sport. He was a member of the Hornet program from 1998-91. During that span, he helped Sacramento State to a berth in the NCAA Div. II semifinals and went 5-0 against UC Davis in the Causeway Classic. McClure and his wife, Erin, have two sons, Hamish and Malcolm. Hamish played quarterback at Sacramento State (2018) and Nevada from 2019-21.   Coaching Experience 2024-25: Kansas (Off. Analyst) 2023: Nevada (Run Game Coordinator/Off. Line) 2020-22: California (Off. Line) 2018-19: Nevada (Def. Line) 2006: Buffalo (Run Game Coordinator/Off. Line) 2007-17: UCLA (Off. Line/Def. Line) 2004-05: Nebraska (Asst. Off. Line) 1997-2003: Sacramento State (Off. Line/Asst. Head Coach) 1996: Nevada (Tight Ends) 1992-95: McClatchy HS (Def. Coordinator/OL/TE)    

After a decorated stint as a junior college head coach, Jon Osterhout returned to his alma mater in December 2025. Osterhout will serve as the assistant athletics director and chief of staff. In that role, he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the program.   Osterhout was the head coach at American River JC for 12 seasons, winning at least a share of the NorCal Conference title 10 times. He finished his career with an 88-39 overall record and took the team to 11 postseason appearances, including eight trips to the state playoffs.   In 2025, ARC won its sixth-straight conference title and downed CCSF in the first round of the playoffs before falling to eventual champion College of San Mateo. The Beavers went on to top Monterey Peninsula in the Gridiron Classic Bowl.   The previous year, American River was 7-4 and finished the season ranked 10th in the state. Osterhout was named the NorCal Conference Coach of the Year and had 14 players earn first team all-league honors including running back Elias Brown and defensive end Jonathan Correa who were named JC All-Americans.   The Beavers advanced to the Northern California Championship in 2022 and 2023. He was named conference coach of the year in both seasons and ended 2022 ranked fifth and 2023 ranked third in the state. The 2022 season saw an amazing 22 student-athletes sign scholarships to play at four-year schedule and 14 advanced their careers the following year. Cian Slone was the state defensive player of the year in 2022 and Josh Tremain claimed the award in 2023.   ARC made another trip to the state playoffs in 2021. Offensive lineman Sedrick Luke was named the NorCal Conference Offensive MVP and was a unanimous first team All-American. Once again, the team had great success matriculating student-athletes as 28 players advanced to four-year institutions.   In 2019, American River concluded the season ranked sixth in the state. Linebacker George Spithorst and return specialist Eric Davis were named first team All-Americans while Osterhout took home another coach of the year award. The team advanced 30 players to four-year schools, including 12 at the NCAA Div. I (FBS and FCS) level.   The team made another appearance in the Northern California Championship and earned another conference title in 2017. The Beavers were ranked third in the final state rankings and were led by California Defensive Player of the Year Rahsaan York and All-American center Diego Cervantes. The following year, the team played in the Gridiron Bowl.   The 2016 season was an historic campaign for ARC. The Beavers advanced to the state championship for the first time in 50 years and finished the year with a 10-3 overall record. The team was ranked second in the state and sixth nationally in the final polls. Defensive end Anthony Luke and wide receiver Damen Wheeler were named All-Americans and were part of the 18 players who advanced to four-year schools.   Osterhout had immediate success after being elevated to head coach. In his first season (2014), he helped the team to a state No. 1 ranking following consecutive wins over CCSF and San Mateo which were both top-ranked at the time. The Beavers finished the year 10-2 which led to a No. 4 state and No. 10 national ranking. Jordan Carrell was named the conference player of the year as well as an All-American. Twenty-one of the 25 sophomores on the team moved on to four-year schools to continue their careers.   The next year, 21 players advanced on (including five to Power Five conferences) on a team which shared the conference title. That group included linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (Cal) and defensive linemen Nick Terry (UCLA) were both All-Americans.   Osterhout began his tenure at American River in 2011 and took over offensive play calling in 2013. That season, the team ranked fifth in the state in scoring, seventh in rushing and eighth in total offense.   From 2007-10, Osterhout was an assistant coach at Sacramento State for the second time in his career. As the recruiting coordinator, he produced the second-ranked FCS class in 2009 and the eighth-ranked in 2010. His defensive line ended the year ranked in the top 20 of the FCS in rush defense in 2008 and 2010. He also coached Zack Nash and Todd Davis who both went on to play in the NFL.   Osterhout served as a graduate assistant at Nebraska from 2006-07 where he worked with the defensive line and special teams. The team won the Big 12 North Division and played in the Cotton Bowl following his first season. While there, he coached first-round selection Adam Carriker, second-round choice Ndamukong Suh and fourth-rounder Jay Moore.   Osterhout’s first stint at Sacramento State came from 2000-05 where he was the offensive line and tight ends (2000-01) and defensive line (2002-06). He coached Marko Cavka to all-Big Sky honors and eventually a sixth-round selection in the NFL Draft. The offense set or tied 52 national, conference or team records in 2000 and the defense led the conference in sacks in 2004.   After redshirting in 1995, Osterhout was a four-year starter for the Hornets from 1996-99. He was an FCS All-American as a senior and earned first team all-Big Sky honors his final two seasons. During that time, he anchored an offensive line which led the way for record-setting running back Charles Roberts. Osterhout was named the team MVP and Most Inspirational Player during his career as well as serving as a team captain. He went on to sign with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins before seeing his playing career cut short by injuries.  He was inducted into the Sacramento State Football Hall of Fame in 2008.   Osterhout graduated from Oakmont HS in 1995 where he was a two-sport athlete in baseball and football. He was a first team Capital Valley Conference selection and second team all-metro by the Sacramento Bee. He was inducted into the school athletic Hall of Fame in 2023.   Osterhout holds an undergraduate degree from Sacramento State and a masters in kinesiology from Fresno Pacific.   Jon and his wife, Alison (a former Hornet volleyball student-athlete), are the parents to Hudson and Chelsea.   Coaching Experience 2014-25: American River College (Head Coach) 2011-13: American River College (Asst. Head Coach/Off. Coordinator/Off. Line) 2008-10: Sacramento State (Def. Line/Recruiting Coordinator) 2006-07: Nebraska (Grad Asst., Def. Line) 2000-05: Sacramento State (Tight Ends/Def. Line)  

Chris Parry joined the Sacramento State staff in January of 2019 as the team’s director of recruiting/player development. He also served as a defensive assistant on the field. He moved to assistant general manager prior to the 2025 season and was elevated to general manager prior to the start of the 2026 campaign. Parry was part of a defensive coaching staff in 2019 which helped make Sacramento State the best team in the Big Sky in defensive pass efficiency and red zone defense. The Hornets allowed 132.1 fewer yards per game than in the previous season and increased its total takeaways by five. Off the field, the 2020 recruiting class was ranked as one of the best in the FCS as the team secured several three-star recruits. Parry came to Sacramento State after coaching at Folsom High School since 2013. He was the running backs coach with the Bulldogs and helped the team earn California state championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. Folsom’s offense earned national attention during the period, setting several state records for yards and points. The team finished 2017 ranked 18th in the MaxPreps national poll and moved up to 17th in 2018. From 2009-12, Parry worked at American River College in Sacramento. He began as the wide receivers coach in his first three years before shifting to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2012. That season, the Beavers advanced to the NorCal championship game and were ranked fifth in the state at 39.7 points per game. In his position, he worked under former Sacramento State player Jerry Haflich who was the head coach at ARC. Parry also coached at Folsom HS from 2001-08 holding several different positions. He was an assistant coach on the JV and varsity teams working with the defensive backs, linebackers, defensive ends and tight ends. He ended his run by being named the defensive coordinator on the varsity team. His career also features stops at College of San Mateo (1987) and Mills HS (1985-86). Off the field, Parry worked at Intel in Folsom, Calif., from 2006-18. He held several positions with the company ranging from sales to marketing to product management. He graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering in 1988.

Eric Kiesau joined the Sacramento State coaching staff as the offensive coordinator in December 2025.   Kiesau spent his three previous seasons before joining the Hornet staff as a offensive quality control coach at Florida.   Kiesau served as offensive coordinator at Auburn in 2022 after spending one season as wide receivers coach in 2021. In 2022, Auburn’s offense ranked third in the SEC in rushing yards gained (2,834), 33rd nationally in net rushing (2,470) and top-50 in rushing touchdowns (25).   Prior to joining the Auburn football program, Kiesau spent four seasons at Boise State. He came to Auburn as a senior offensive analyst and was promoted to Auburn’s wide receivers coach in September of 2021.    The 2020 campaign at Boise State marked his first as the program’s sole offensive coordinator after serving as co-offensive coordinator in 2019. Kiesau worked with the Bronco quarterbacks in 2020 after overseeing the wide receiver corps from 2017-19. In Kiesau’s first season helping oversee the team’s offensive effort, the Broncos had eight members of the offensive earn all-Mountain West honors.   Under his tutelage, Cedrick Wilson went on to break Boise State’s single-season receiving record, picking up 1,511 yards for second-most in the country. He would go on to selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft. Kiesau also worked with the wider receiver John Hightower, who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2020 draft.     Prior to joining Boise State, Kiesau spent the 2016 season as offensive coordinator at Fresno State and served as the Bulldogs’ interim head coach over the final four games of the season. Kiesau served as an analyst for Alabama during a 2015 season that culminated in the Crimson Tide winning the National Championship.    Kiesau coached wide receivers at Kansas (2014), California (2002-05; 2011), Colorado (2006-08) and Utah State (2001). He also served as the interim offensive coordinator for Kansas over the final five games of the 2014 season, served as offensive coordinator for both Washington (2012-13) and the Buffaloes (2009-10) and was California’s passing game coordinator in 2011. He began his career as an assistant coach in 2000, working with Utah State’s running backs. In his debut as a wide receivers coach, he mentored the nation leader in receptions for the Aggies, Kevin Curtis, who had 100 catches.   Between his two stints at California, Kiesau worked with future NFL All-Pro DeSean Jackson and future NFL Rookie of the Year Keenan Allen. He also mentored Marvin Jones, a fifth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft and Lavelle Hawkins, a fourth-round selection (2008).   As Washington’s offensive coordinator, the Washington offense ranked amongst the nation’s elite in both total offense (13th; 499.3 yards per game) and scoring offense (18th; 37.9 points per game). Kiesau also helped produce John Mackey Award winner, Austin Saferian-Jenkins and All-American running back, Bishop Sankey.   Originally from Pasadena, Calif., Kiesau graduated from Glendale HS and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in communications from Portland State, where he started at quarterback. He also garnered All-America accolades while playing at Glendale JC.    Kiesau has two children, son Blake and daughter Tayler.   Coaching Experience 2023-25: Florida (Off. Quality Control) 2022: Auburn (Off. Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 2021: Auburn (Pass Game Coordinator/Receivers) 2020: Boise State (Off. Coordinator/Quarterbacks) 2017-19: Boise State (Co-Off. Coordinator (’19)/Receivers 2016: Fresno State (Interim Head Coach/Asst. Head Coach/Off. Coordinator) 2015: Alabama (Off. Assistant) 2014: Kansas (Receivers) 2012-13: Washington (Off. Coordinator) 2011: California (Pass Game Coordinator/Receivers) 2009-10: Colorado (Off. Coordinator) 2006-08: Colorado (Receivers) 2002-05: California (Receivers) 2000-01: Utah State (Receivers (’01)/Running Backs (’00))  

Adam Clark was named the Sacramento State defensive coordinator in December 2025.   Clark comes to the Hornets after serving as the defensive coordinator at Northern Arizona for two seasons (2024-25).  In his first season leading the Lumberjacks, NAU saw massive improvements from the previous season. Under Clark, the Lumberjacks went from seventh in the Big Sky in interceptions (15) to second, which also ranked 12th nationally in the FCS. In total pass defense (176.7), the unit went from ninth to first, and in total defense (316.5), the unit placed second in the Big Sky in 2024 after being seventh the previous fall. NAU ranked 18th nationally in both categories. Clark's defense in 2024 featured two first team all-Big Sky selections in Alex McLaughlin and Tommy Ellis, with the former being a unanimous selection. Two other Lumberjacks earned second team honors and NAU placed three additional defenders on the honorable mention list.   In 2025, linebacker Travis Arena and defensive back Quinten Moten were named all-Big Sky first team while linebacker Brandon Wong was voted to the second team. That season, Moten led the conference and ranked 11th in the FCS with 1.18 passes defended per game. Wong was also second in the Big Sky, and 25th nationally, with 1.17 tackles-for-loss per game. Prior to NAU, Clark coached for nearly 20 years and was part of eight conference championship teams during his college coaching and playing career. Clark spent five seasons with Angelo State as its defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Clark helped guide the Rams to a 38-10 record over four seasons and to their first outright Lone Star Conference (LSC) championship in nearly 40 years and back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in the NCAA Div. II era.   During Clark's time at Angelo State, his defense was consistently at the top of the LSC in most defensive categories which included a national top-10 unit in numerous categories each season, only giving up 15.5 points per game over 48 games.   In 2021, the Rams had one of the top defenses in the country, ranking eighth overall in total defense, allowing only 253.3 yards of offense per game. Angelo State allowed only 76.9 rushing yards per game which was the sixth-lowest average in all of Div. II. The Rams allowed 14 or fewer points in eight games on the season and ranked 11th in the country in turnover margin and 17th in scoring defense.   In Clark's first year at Angelo State, the Rams defense was one of the top units in the nation. They ranked third nationally in scoring defense and were also in the top 10 nationally in red zone defense (7th), pass defensive efficiency (4th), yards per play (10th), and takeaways per game (10th). The defense was in the top three in virtually every defensive category within the LSC including being the top unit in various categories.   While at Tarleton State as defensive line coach, special teams coordinator and assistant head coach in 2018, Tarleton State compiled a 12-1 record, a Lone Star Conference Championship and a No. 4 national ranking.   Clark served as head coach at Western New Mexico from 2010-17, where he left as the Mustangs' third-winningest coach in over the 100-year history of the program.   Leading up to his first head coach opportunity, Clark served as defensive line coach at Colorado School of Mines (2008-10), defensive coordinator and strength coach at St. Ambrose (2007) and defensive backs and strength coach at Graceland (2004-06).   Clark began his career at his alma mater, St. Ambrose in Davenport, Iowa as a graduate assistant from 2002-04. He worked with outside linebackers, safeties, defensive line and special teams during back-to-back conference championships and playoff appearances.   Clark earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from St. Ambrose and a master's degree in organizational leadership.   A native of San Diego, Calif., Clark and his wife, Mimi, have two sons, Caden and Kai, and one daughter, Kalena.   Coaching Experience 2024-25: Northern Arizona (Def. Coordinator) 2019-24: Angelo State (Def. Coordinator) 2018: Tarleton State (Asst. Head Coach/Special Teams/Def. Line) 2010-17: Western New Mexico (Head Coach) 2008-09: Colorado School of Mines (Def. Line) 2007: St. Ambrose (Def. Coordinator/Strength) 2004-06: Graceland (Def. Backs/Strength) 2002-04: St. Ambrose (Graduate Assistant)  

Milo Austin was hired as the special teams coordinator at Sacramento State in December 2025.   Austin came to the Hornets from Elon where he served as the special teams coordinator since 2022 and was elevated to assistant head coach prior to the 2025 season. He also coached cornerbacks and outside linebackers during his tenure with the Phoenix.   In his final season at Elon, Austin coached punter Jeff Yurk to All-America honors by the AFCA, Associated Press, Stats Perform and FCS Football Central. Yurk ranked second in the FCS with an average of 48.3 yards per punt and had 24 punts of at least 50 yards. His average was the best in the CAA by over five yards. Kicker Luke Barnes earned honorable mention All-America from the AP that same season. Barnes made 15-of-18 field goals and had just one miss inside of 50 yards. He was perfect (40-40) on PATs and had 20 touchbacks on kickoffs.   In 2024, Yurk and wide receiver/kick returner Chandler Brayboy were recognized as All-Americans. Yurk led the FCS, and ranked third in all of college football, with an average of 47.9 yards per punt. He had 26 punts of at least 50 yards, including a career-long 72-yarder. Brayboy ranked second in the FCS in kick return average (35.3). He returned two kicks for touchdowns at UAlbany and ended the year ranked sixth in the FCS with 151.4 all-purpose yards per game.   The previous season, true freshman kicker Jack Berkowitz was 18th nationally in field goal percentage (80 percent), while making 1.2 field goals per game (21st in the FCS). Punter Kyle Romenick ranked 25th in punting average, In the return game, Chandler Brayboy was 10th at 26.9 yards per kick return and Bo Sanders was 26th in punt return average at 7.8 per game.   In 2022, Austin oversaw one of the best special teams units in the country, highlighted by All-American kicker Skyler Davis. Davis was a consensus first team All-American and tied the FCS record by making seven 50-yard field goals in one season. He was 18-of-22 overall, including 12-of-14 from 40+ yards. As well, punter Jeff Yurk averaged 44.1 yards per punt, fifth-best in the country, and was named a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American. Both Davis and Yurk earned all-conference nods.   Elon also blocked two field goal attempts in 2022 and ranked tenth in net punting average at 39.1 yards. Elon’s punt return defense allowed just 5.9 yards per return, while offensively Elon averaged 7.9 yards per punt return.   As outside linebackers coach, Austin mentored All-American Marcus Hillman to a breakout season. Hillman had 18.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks after compiling just 12.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks prior to the 2022 season. He finished fourth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best defensive player in the country at the FCS level. Austin’s unit helped the Elon defense rank 19th in scoring defense, seventh in fumbles recovered and 13th in quarterback sacks. In Elon’s eight victories, the defense allowed just 16 second-half points — one touchdown and three field goals.     Austin came to Elon after spending a year as the special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Texas Southern. Prior to that, he was special teams coordinator and wide receiver coach at Delaware State for the 2019 and 2020 campaigns. He has spent time as well at Morehead State (associate head coach/special teams coordinator/wide receivers), Glenville State (running backs/kickoff return), Cincinnati (director of player development), Hampton (running backs/kickoff return) and Midwestern State (running backs/kickoff return). He has also held positions with the St. Louis Rams, and Lanphier (Ill.) High School.   Even before his time at Elon, Austin’s special teams units have regularly ranked among the nation’s best. During the fall, his Texas Southern units ranked in the top 25 in punt return coverage, as well as third in the conference in punt returns. At Delaware State, Austin made an immediate impact with DSU’s special teams as the Hornets ranked fourth or higher in four statistical categories in 2019. Placekicker Jose Romo-Martinez earned second team All-MEAC honors as a result while Jordan Hannah ranked second in the MEAC in kick return average with 23.3 yards per return.     During the historic spring 2021 campaign, Austin’s units once again performed at a high level as DSU blocked three punts with one returned for a touchdown. Romo-Martinez, who was also a preseason All-MEAC honoree, performed double duty as he averaged nearly 40 yards per punt in addition to nailing two field goals of 40-plus yards. Off the field, Austin represented DSU well as a high-profile speaker at the 2021 Virtual American Football Coaches Association Convention.   Austin joined the Delaware State football staff after three seasons at Morehead State in Kentucky. While at Morehead, he served as associate head coach (wide receivers) as well as co-special teams coordinator. He coached the slot receivers in 2015 and 2016.    In 2015 and 2016, he coached Jake Raymond, an all-PFL slot receiver who became the all-time leading receiver at Morehead State and the career leader in catches in the PFL.    His work with the receivers and special teams didn’t go unnoticed as Austin was selected as the 2018 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Assistant Coach of the Year in recognition of his commitment to student-athletes, community service, contributions to the AFCA and coaching excellence.    Austin founded and ran the Full Focus Foundation, a youth life skills development program. He completed the Bill Walsh Minority Internship program with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018 and St. Louis Rams in the summer of 2013, served as director of the football program at Camp Winadu in Massachusetts in the summer of 2012 and was the offensive and special teams coordinator at Lanphier High School during the 2011 season.    Austin began his playing career as a cornerback at Div. III Salisbury, where he was named Atlantic Central Football Conference Freshman of the Year in 2001. He was also the Eastern College Athletic Conference Eastern Region Freshman of the Year.    He finished his career at West Virginia, where he was a wide receiver on the 2004 Big East Conference Championship team.    Austin earned his bachelor's degree in athletic coaching education from West Virginia in 2005. He received his master’s in sport administration in December 2020.    Austin and his wife, Erica, have two daughters (Nevaeh and Noa) and one son (Malcolm).    Coaching Experience 2022-24: Elon (Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers/Cornerbacks) 2021: Texas Southern (Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks) 2019-20: Delaware State (Special Teams Coordinator/Receivers) 2015-18: Morehead State (Assoc. Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Receivers) 2012-14: Glenville State (Running Backs/Kickoff Return) 2010-11: Cincinnati (Dir. of Player Development) 2008-09: Hampton (Running Backs/Kickoff Return) 2006-07: Midwestern State (Running Backs/Kickoff Return  

Kenwick Thompson returned to his home state of California in December 2025 as he was named the assistant head coach, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Sacramento State.   Thompson came to the Hornets after serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Florida A&M in 2025.   Thompson was previously the linebackers coach at UAB. He began his tenure with the Blazers as the linebackers coach in 2023 and added the role of assistant head coach in 2024.   In 2023, the UAB defense ranked seventh nationally in fumbles recovered (11) and finished with 21 takeaways total. Thompson’s unit was led by a pair of productive players in Michael Moore and Everett Roussaw, Jr.   As a junior, Moore started the season at defensive end and moved to linebacker midway through the season. He was the team’s leading tackler until missing the final two games of the season, but still finished the year with 63 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, three QBH and one forced fumble.   Roussaw made immediate contributions as a true freshman, playing in all 12 games with eight starts. Roussaw continued to evolve as the season went along and finished the year with 50 tackles, 2.5 TFL and a sack, to go along with three PBU and a fumble recovery.     Thompson came to UAB after serving three seasons as the associate head coach and linebackers coach at UNLV (2020-22). Prior to UNLV, Thompson spent the previous two seasons at Fresno State as the defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach under Jeff Tedford. That stint included winning the 2018 Mountain West Championship and Las Vegas Bowl behind the nation’s third-ranked scoring defense. He previously spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at East Carolina, joining the Pirate staff after two seasons at Vanderbilt, where he served as an associate head coach and linebackers coach in 2015. Thompson headed to Vanderbilt after spending the 2013 season as defensive coordinator at San Jose State.   He coached under Tedford at California from 2007 to 2012, working as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach while playing a key role assisting the Golden Bears to four bowl appearances. During his first stint at San Jose State from 2001-06, Thompson served in a variety of coaching roles under head coaches Fitz Hill and Dick Tomey. His positions included linebackers coach (2001-03), defensive line coach (2004), defensive tackles coach (2006), recruiting coordinator (2001-2004) and head strength and conditioning coach (2005). From 1994 to 2000, Thompson was on the coaching staff at Texas Southern, including the last five seasons as defensive coordinator. During the summer of 2000, he was a participant in the NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Oakland Raiders. After an all-conference playing career, Thompson graduated from Harding (Ark.) in 1992.   After an all-conference playing career, Thompson graduated from Harding (Ark.) University in 1992. He has two sons, Jaxson and Jacob.   Coaching Experience 2025: Florida A&M (Def. Coordinator/Linebackers) 2023-24: UAB (Asst. Head Coach/Linebackers) 2020-22: UNLV (Assoc. Head Coach/Linebackers) 2018-19: Fresno State (Linebackers) 2016-17: East Carolina (Def. Coordinator) 2014-15: Vanderbilt (Linebackers) 2013: San Jose State (Def. Coordinator/Linebackers) 2007-12: California (Assoc. Head Coach (’12)/Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator)? 2006: San Jose State (Def. Tackles)? 2005: San Jose State (Strength and Conditioning Coach) 2004: San Jose State (Def. Line Coach/co-Recruiting Coordinator) 2002-03: San Jose State (Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator) 2001: San Jose State (Linebackers)? 1996-2000: Texas Southern (Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coordinator)? 1995: Texas Southern (Def. Line /Recruiting Coordinator) 1994: Texas Southern (Running Backs)? 1991-92: Harding (Graduate Assistant)    

Nick Alaimalo was named the running backs and co-special teams coordinator at Sacramento State in January of 2026.   Alaimalo spent the 2025 season at Washington State where he was the assistant wide receivers coach. That season, Joshua Meredith and Tony Freeman each caught at least 50 passes to lead the team. Meredith finished with a team-high 723 yards and averaged 12.7 yards per reception.   Alaimalo spent the three previous seasons an assistant at Idaho State. In 2024, Alaimalo was the inside receivers coach where he helped a Bengal passing offense finish eighth nationally in the FCS at 298.4 ypg. In his first season at Idaho State, as running backs coach, he had 1,248 rushing yards between five different backs accounting for seven touchdowns and adding 339 receiving yards. Moving to slot receivers in 2023, Alaimalo tutored Chedon James to all-Big Sky honors, leading the FCS in receptions and being a Walter Payton Award Finalist. Alaimalo also assisted with all aspects of special teams all three years.   After playing linebacker and running back at New Mexico Highlands, he moved into the coaching ranks at his alma mater assisting in running back development. In 2010, he joined Arizona State beginning his long-standing relationship with Dennis Erickson and helping the Sun Devils to a Las Vegas Bowl berth.   In 2012, he joined the Utah Utes working with a cornerback group that combined for 21 pass deflections, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles. The following year, he worked with the Utah running backs where four players combined for 1,450 yards.   Alaimalo was selected for the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship and assigned to the Kansas City Chiefs, working directly with Assistant Head Coach, Eric Bieniemy, throughout training camp and preseason games.   After leaving Utah, Alaimalo spent two seasons as defensive coordinator at Snow JC overseeing a defense that ranked second nationally, with the top-ranked run defense, along with holding opponents to 17 points a game. He then re-united with Dennis Erickson as an assistant with the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football.   After the AAF, Alaimalo headed East to work at Robert Morris as the run game and special teams coordinator. He also developed an all-conference running back, two players in the top 10 in rushing in conference, and seven touchdowns between six different running backs before joining the Bengals.   He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2008 and a master’s in business administration in human resources in 2009 from New Mexhico Highlands. During his collegiate career, Alaimalo played at El Camino JC in 2004 and  New Mexico Highlands from 2005-07, where he played both running back and linebacker.   A former prep player at vaunted Long Beach Poly, Alaimalo is a native of Carson, Calif. He and his wife, Joi, have a daughter, Kaleah.  

Josh Brown returned to Sacramento State as the team's co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in January of 2025. He will serve as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach during the 2026 season. Brown previously served the Hornets from 2007-08. During his first season in his return to Sacramento State, Brown was forced to juggle his lineup several times due to injuries but still managed to have three of his players rank among the top five on the team in tackles. Oscar Moore. who moved from safety to linebacker prior to the season, adjusted well to the new position to lead the team with 69 total tackles. Alex Rocha played in eight games where he was able to tally 49 stops to rank third on the team. Fata Puloka contributed 43 stops along with three QB hurries. Derek Houston was the leading tackler on the team through the first half of the season as he had 32 stops in the first six games before having an injury cut his season short. The four players combined for 16.0 tackles-for-loss during the season with Moore leading the way at 5.5. A veteran coach with over 20 years of collegiate experience, Brown previously was the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at McNeese State in 2024. Micah Davey was named second team all-Southland Conferecne after tallying 90 total tackles despite missing four games. Davey finished the year with 11.3 tackles per game and had 10-plus stops in five games, including 17 in the win over Southern. Brown had two stints at UTEP, spending 2020-21 as the Miners' secondary and safeties coach and then returning in 2023 as the defensive pass game coordinator. In between those years, he was the safeties coach at Hawaii in 2022. At UTEP, the team's starting safeties, Justin Prince and Broderick Harrell, rated third and fifth respectively on the team in tackles during the 2020 campaign.  Prince notched 37 stops, while Harrell added 32.  Prince made a successful return to the field after breaking his foot early in the 2019 season, and was an honorable mention All-Conference USA player.  Meanwhile, Dy'vonne Inyang flourished at the nickelback spot, contributing 32 tackles, two tackles for losses and a team-high two forced fumbles.    Brown was the safeties coach at Nevada for the Wolf Pack’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl appearance versus Ohio in 2019.   He has been affiliated with two conference championship teams (2011 Great West, 2012 Big Sky), four postseason teams (2006 Hawaii Bowl, 2012 & 2016 NCAA Playoffs, 2019 Potato Bowl), and three teams that finished the season ranked in the top-25 nationally (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016) during his career.   Previously, he was defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Cal Poly from 2012-19. Under Brown’s tutelage, the Mustangs rated among the top-three in the Big Sky  in points allowed and total defense in 2012, 2013 and 2015. Cal Poly also ranked in the top-three in the league in rushing defense on four occasions (2012, 2013, 2016, 2017). His 2013 unit was among the national leaders in points allowed (19th) and rushing defense (25th), while his 2017 squad was also top-25 (19th) in red zone defense.   In 2013, Brown coached the Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Year in defensive tackle Sullivan Grosz. He also coached Nick Dzubnar, who shattered the school record for tackles in a season in 2014 and went on to play for the San Diego Chargers. Brown spent the 2010 and 2011 campaigns at Cal Poly as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, overseeing punt return, kickoff and kickoff return units that rated among the nation’s best.    Brown also spent time at Foothill College as special teams coordinator (2000-05), Arizona State as defensive line graduate assistant (2006), Sacramento State as recruiting coordinator/linebackers coach (2007-08) and Kansas as quality control coach/linebackers (2009).   He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from San Jose State in 2003, and added a master's in curriculum and education from Arizona State in 2007.  Brown and his wife, Kasey, have a son, Ty, and a daughter, Tatum.  He played his prep football at San Luis Obispo HS.  Brown’s father-in-law is Mike Church, a former assistant coach at UTEP and a member of the staff on the 10-win, 1988 Miners. Coaching Experience 2024: McNeese State (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties) 2023: UTEP (Defensive Pass Game Coordinator) 2022: Hawai‘i (Safeties) 2020-21: UTEP (Secondary/Safeties) 2019: Nevada (Safeties) 2010-19: Cal Poly (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator 2009: Kansas (Quality Control, Linebackers) 2007-08: Sacramento State (Reruiting Coordinator/Linebackers) 2006: Arizona State (Defensive Line Graduate Assistant) 2000-05: Foothill College (Special Teams Coordinator) 1999: Gavilan College (Assistant) 1998: San Luis Obispo HS (Assistant) 

Robert Conley was named the tight ends coach at Sacramento State in January 2026.   Conley came to the Hornets following six years at Weber State. In 2025, he was the Wildcats’ run game coordinator and tight ends coach. He also served as the team’s interim offensive coordinator for the final two games, including a 48-28 won over Northern Arizona in the season finale. That season, he also coached tight end Noah Benee to all-Big Sky honors after catching 23 passes for 264 yards.   In his first five seasons at Weber State, Conley coached running backs and spent three years as the team’s recruiting coordinator. He coached five running backs to all-Big Sky honors and guided WSU to a pair of FCS Playoff appearances.   In 2024, he coached Damon Bankston to second team all-Big Sky honors. That season, Bankston rushed for 1,104 yards and six scores. During the 2023 season he helped lead Weber State to a 6-5 overall finish, WSU’s ninth straight winning season. Weber State closed the season with three straight wins, including a win over No. 4 Idaho. He also coached Naseme Colvin to all-Big Sky honorable mention honors. In 2022, Conley helped lead Weber State to another 10-win season, including an FBS win over Utah State. He also coached two players to All-Big Sky honors as Dontae McMillan and Damon Bankston both earned all-conference honors.  In his first season with the Wildcats, the spring 2021 season, Conley was part of the WSU team that won the Big Sky title and advanced to the FCS Playoffs. The Wildcats finished 5-1 and captured its fourth straight conference title, including the first outright title in school history with a perfect 5-0 Big Sky record. The Wildcats were ranked as high as second in the nation during the season, the highest ranking in school history.     During the season, Conley coached two players to all-Big Sky honors. Junior Josh Davis earned first-team all-Big Sky honors for the third time in his career and freshman Dontae McMillan earned second-team all-conference honors. McMillan was also named the Big Sky Co-Freshman of the Year.    Conley, a former Utah football player and coach, joined the Weber State staff after more than 10 years of coaching experience.    He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Port Arthur Memorial HS in Texas. He also has several years of coaching experience in college football.    Conley began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Midwestern State, then was a graduate assistant at Utah State in 2011.    He spent three seasons on the staff at the Utah, serving as a graduate assistant coach. He coached on the offensive side of the ball for two seasons and spent the 2014 season coaching linebackers under defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake.    Conley then spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Texas-Permian Basin where he coached the offensive line and was the recruiting coordinator and was an offensive analyst for the 2017 season at Houston.    Conley was a four-year starting right guard for the Utah football team from 2005-08, playing in 50 of 51 games, including 42 straight. He earned all-Mountain West Conference honors three times, including first-team honors as a senior in 2008, and was named a Rivals.com third-team All-American. He was also a co-captain as a senior and helped lead Utah to an undefeated season and a Sugar Bowl title over Alabama.   Conley graduated from Utah with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2008 and a master’s degree in sports management in 2014.    The La Marque, Texas native is married to his wife, Samantha.  

A member of the Hornet coaching staff since 2019, Bobby Fresques will serve as the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator and camp coordinator during the 2026 season.  In 2023, Fresques coordinated a Hornet offense which averaged 420.8 yards and 30.5 points per game. The team started three quarterbacks during the season and trio combined to throw for 242.9 yards per game with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Kaiden Bennett led the group with 2,190 passing yards as well as 577 rushing yards. He finished the season accounting for 22 touchdowns and led the team with 212.8 yards of total offense per game. The following year, redshirt freshman Carson Conklin took control of the offense in the third week of the season and had a record-setting season. Conklin finished third in the Jerry Rice Award voting and was an FCS Freshman All-American after setting the school freshman record for completions (261), passing yards (2,876) and passing touchdowns (28). Conklin led all FCS quarterbacks in each category and his touchdown passes were the second most in school history regardless of class.  Fresques was the lead offensive analyst and director of alumni relations during the 2025 season. Fresques helped take the Hornet offense to new heights during the 2019 season — his first as quarterbacks coach. Sacramento State set school single-season records for points scored (464), touchdowns (63), first downs (326), plays (995), total yards (6,033), pass attempts (524), and passing yards (3,832). Quarterback Kevin Thomson was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and was one of four finalist for the Walter Payton Award which goes to the top offensive player in the FCS. Thomson was named an FCS All-America by several outlets after recording 3,835 yards of total offense in 12 games for an average of 319.6 yards which ranked fifth in the FCS. He accounted for 39 total touchdowns with 27 passing and 12 rushing and his 19.7 points responsible for per game ranked second in the league and fifth nationally. He threw for over 300 yards in six games and rushed for 100 yards in a pair of contests. In 2021, Fresques had a new challenge as the team rotated two quarterbacks for much of the year. Together, Jake Dunniway and Asher O'Hara combined for 4,193 yards of total offense and accounted for 28 touchdowns over the 12 games. O'Hara was named to the all-Big Sky first team as an all-purpose player following his first season with the Hornets. The junior led the team with 667 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns and also threw for 899 yards and seven scores while completing 61.5 percent of his passes. For an added bonus, O'Hara also caught a pair of passes, including a 7-yard touchdown reception at Idaho State. Dunniway passed for 2,576 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 63.2 completion percentage. His efficiency of 148.6 is tied for fourth in school history and he ranks third with 8.94 yards per pass attempt. The pair returned in 2022 and produced 4,220 yards of total offense while accounting for 49 touchdowns. Sacramento State finished the season with a 12-1 overall record and went undefeated through conference play for the second straight season. O'Hara took home his second first team all-Big Sky all-purpose honor while Dunniway was named to the third team. Fresques returned to Sacramento State where he was the Hornet quarterback from 1990-92. He left the Hornets ranked fourth in school history with 3,757 career passing yards and was second with 27 career touchdown passes. Fresques improved his output each season, throwing for 462 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore in 1990, then 1,280 yards and eight touchdowns and concluding with 2,015 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. After playing professionally with the Munich Cowboys and San Jose Sabercats, Fresques began his coaching career at Sacramento City College in 1996. The following year, he moved to Sacramento State where he was the wide receivers coach. Fresques was hired on at Cal in 1998 where he worked alongside Troy Taylor. As the offensive assistant, he worked closely with the wide receivers and also served as a recruiting specialist. The next year, he took over as the head coach at Christian Brothers HS and remained with the Falcons through the 2004 season. Fresques held several positions at Christian Brothers, working as a teacher and athletics director until 2015. During the same period, he also was the Sacramento Regional Director of The NFL Junior Player Development program (2005-07) and led the NorCal Passing Academy (2009-18). His tutelage with the passing academy has assisted with the development of some of the best quarterbacks in the Sacramento region. Fresques returned to the sideline in 2010 at Folsom HS and has played a key role in the team’s offensive success. The Bulldogs went 138-12 during his tenure and won nine league titles, six Sac-Joaquin Section championships and three state crowns. Folsom most recently claimed the CIF Div. 1-AA titles in both 2017 and 2018. The team also appeared in a pair of Northern California Open Division finals but fell to powerhouse De La Salle in 2012 and 2013. Individually, quarterback Kaiden Bennett was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-America first team in 2017 and the Bulldogs had the highest QBR in state of California in 2018. He was named the Sacramento State Player of the Year in 2018. A decorated high school player at Damien HS in Laverne, Calif., Fresques originally enrolled at Wyoming. He redshirted for the Cowboys in 1988 and played in 1989 before transferring to the Hornets. He was part of two Western Athletic Conference championship teams during his time in Laramie, Wyo. Fresques graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Sacramento State in 1992. He added his single subject teaching credential from National University in 2006. He and his wife, Wendy (who is also a Sacramento State graduate and former Hornet cheerleader) are the parents of three daughters: Ashlynn, Presley and Havannah.

Dakari Monroe joined the Sacramento State coaching staff as the cornerbacks coach in December 2025.   Monroe most recently served as a defensive graduate assistant at Arizona from 2024-25. During his time with the Wildcats, the team improved its win total by five games and qualified to play in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl against SMU.   Monroe played at San Jose State for four seasons (46 career games, 22 starts) as a cornerback and nickelback. He was named first team all-Mountain West as a senior in 2018 after finishing sixth in the FBS with 1.6 passes defended per game and leading the Spartans with four interceptions. His season was highlighted by two picks against UNLV, including one he returned for a 50-yard touchdown.   He also led the team with three interceptions in 2017 and became just the fourth Spartan to pace SJSU in interceptions in consecutive seasons.   Following his playing career, Monroe signed with Kansas City Chiefs.   A Bay Area native, Monroe prepped at Archbishop Mitty HS in San Jose where he was twice recognized on the Mercury News All-Central Coast Section team and was an all-state selection by CalHiSports.com.  

AC Patterson was hired at Sacramento State as the co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach in December of 2024.  During his first season with the team, Patterson led a group of running backs which helped Sacramento State rank third in the FCS with 262.6 rushing yards per game. The unit was led by All-American and first team all-Big Sky selection Rodney Hammond, Jr., who rushed for 1,213 yards and 13 touchdowns. Damian Henderson added 565 rushing yards while Jaquail Smith had 511 yards with each scoring five touchdowns. Sacramento State had five players combine to rush for at least 100 yards in a game 12 times during the season. That included a career-high 208 yards from Hammond at Eastern Washington as well as Hammond (106), Smith (135) and quarterback Cardell Williams (139) becoming the first trio of players to each surpass the century mark in a game in school history. No stranger to the Big Sky Conference, Patterson had two stints at Portland State, including serving as the Vikings' assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and running backs coach. In 2023, Patterson’s offense averaged 33.8 points per game and ranked fifth in the nation in rushing at 224.0 yards per game — the most by a PSU team in seven seasons. The following season, the team averaged 29.3 ppg and 203.2 rushing ypg. Dante Chachere was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the FCS, finishing the year with 1,970 passing yards and 723 rushing yards while accounting for 24 touchdowns. Known for his recruiting acumen, Patterson has played a vital role in the Vikings’ outstanding signing classes prior to the 2023 and 2024 seasons. PSU’s 2023 class was rated number one in the Big Sky and third in the nation by 247Sports.com. The following year, Patterson was named the top recruiter in the FCS and Big Sky Conference by 247Recruiting. Patterson returned to the Portland State coaching staff in 2022 after a three-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. When Patterson was originally hired at Portland State in 2015, he was the youngest (22) Division I football coach in the country. During his first two years at PSU Patterson produced quality offensive line play that had been a standard at Portland State for many years. Those two seasons ranked among the top four rushing performances in PSU history. Four Viking starters earned all-Big Sky Conference honors in 2015. Tackle Kyle Smith was named second team, tackle Mike Davis and guard/center Cam Keizur were named to the third team, and guard Randin Crecelius earned honorable mention. In 2016, Keizer was named first team, Crecelius earned third team and Tyshon Mosley was named honorable mention All-Big Sky. In 2017, Patterson moved over to assist in coaching running backs. In 2018, Patterson took over as tight ends coach and the all-important responsibility of recruiting coordinator. Patterson guided Charlie Taumoepeau to all-conference and All-American honors. Patterson served as an offensive quality control and assistant running backs coach with Minnesota from 2019-21. Patterson played offensive line at UTEP from 2011-12. Due to knee injuries and four surgeries he had to retire from collegiate football. However, Patterson became a student assistant under Mike Price at UTEP. He assisted with recruiting, doing film breakdown and player reports, and also did UTEP game film breakdown. In 2014, Patterson served as a volunteer assistant coach at Jefferson High School in El Paso. Patterson starred at Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas earning all-league and all-state honors. His team won back-to-back state titles. He comes from a coaching family as his father, Andre, coached 14 years in the NFL, including with the Minnesota Vikings) and 14 years collegiately.  AC graduated from UTEP with a degree in history in 2014. He and his wife, Mary, have one son. COACHING EXPERIENCE 2022-24: Portland State (Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator/Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach) 2019-21: Minnesota Vikings (Offensive Quality Control/Assistant Running Backs) 2015-18: Portland State (Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs/Offensive Line) 2014: Jefferson HS (Assistant Coach) 2013: UTEP (Student Assistant)

Kris Richardson, a member of the Sacramento State coaching staff since 2019, will serve as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach during the 2026 season. During Richardson's first season, the Hornets went 9-4 overall, earned a share of the Big Sky Conference title and advanced to the FCS Playoffs for the first time in school history. His offensive line was led by Wyatt Ming and Nick Bianco who both earned all-conference honors. Ming, who was a first team selection at center, went on to play in the Hula Bowl All-Star Game. The offensive line paved the way for the team's high-powered offense during the season. The unit surrendered just 16 sacks during the season and ranked among the top 10 in the FCS in sacks allowed per pass attempt. Additionally, the team rushed for 2,201 yards and amassed 6,033 yards of total offense. In 2021, Richardson's offensive line had three players earn all-Big Sky accolades with center Thomas Parker being named to the first team and tackle Kooper Richardson and guard Brandon Weldon landing on the second team. The unit featured nine different starters during the year but played a key role in the team's undefeated conference run and berth into the FCS Playoffs. The team averaged 4.6 yards per rush during the year and allowed just 18 sacks in 12 games. In 2022, Richardson's offensive line had four players earn all-Big Sky accolades with guards Jackson Slater and Brandon Weldon being named to the first team and tackle Troy Stiefel and center Nathan Mejia landing on the second team. The unit featured six different starters and paved the way to the team being the seventh-ranked rushing offense in the FCS and ranked third in total offense. Sacramento State averaged 5.41 yards per rush during the year and set the school record in rushing yards in a season with 3,163 yards while allowing just 16 sacks in 13 games. The following year, Richardson coached three offensive linemen to all-Big Sky honors. Slater returned to the first team and joined Jon Osterhout (1998-99) as the only offensive linemen in school history to earn the honor in consecutive years. Left tackle Ivan Garza and center Nathan Mejia each earned honorable mention. Despite starting eight players on the line during the year, the unit combined to surrender just 16 sacks in 13 games. The Hornets did not give up a sack in the first three games of the season, including the win at Stanford. The unit also kept the QB clean in the FCS Playoff win at North Dakota. In 2024, Richardson coached Jackson Slater to first team all-Big Sky accolades for the third consecutive season — making him the first offensive lineman in school history to do so. Slater also earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl. Throughout the season, the offensive line battled injuries and were forced to start nine different players. Despite the heavy rotation, the unit responded by allowing just 14 sacks in 12 games. The 2025 season saw tackle Aidan Meek and center Dean Abdullah both be named to the all-Big Sky second team. The pair anchored a veteran offensive line which opened holes for the team's vaunted rushing attack which averaged 262.6 yards per game — second in the FCS. Meek started every contest and did not surrender a sack in 11 of the team's 12 games. According to PFF, he allowed just four quarterback hurries in the eighth Big Sky games. Abdullah plugged into the line to start every game in his first season with the Hornets. He did not give up a sack and allowed just one quarterback hit throughout the season, according to ProFootball Focus. Richardson came to the Hornets after serving on the Folsom High School staff for 24 years, including his final 14 as the varsity head coach. The Bulldogs posted a 162-27-1 record under his leadership and became one of the most dominant programs in area history. From 2010-18, Folsom went 127-10 with nine league titles, seven Sac-Joaquin Section Championships and four state crowns. His teams won the CIF Div. 2 title in 2010, CIF Div. 1 title in 2014, CIF Div. 1-AA titles in 2017 and 2018. Following the 2010 Season, Richardson was named the California Coaches Association State Coach of the Year.  Following the 2017 season, Richardson was named the Cal-Hi Football State Coach of the Year. Richardson was also named the Sacramento Bee’s 2010’s Coach of the Decade. Folsom sent over 30 players to NCAA Div. I schools during his tenure including quarterbacks Jake Browning (Washington) and Dano Graves (Cal Poly), safety Jordan Richards (Stanford/New England Patriots/Baltimore Ravens), offensive lineman Jonah Williams (Alabama/Cincinnati Bengals), Cody Creason (Arizona), Kooper Richardson (UC Davis/Sacramento State/Saskatchewan Roughriders), tight end Josiah Deguara (Cincinnati/Green Bay Packers), and wide receiver Joe Ngata (Clemson/Philadelphia Eagles). The Bulldogs also set the CIF state record for points as well as recording the most passing yards in a year in four consecutive seasons. In 2017, Folsom finished the year ranked 18th in the MaxPreps national poll. The Bulldogs were 16-0 and outscored their opponents 770-301. The team scored at least 50 points in eight games and tallied 40-plus in 13 contests. During their playoff run, Folsom scored 49 or more points in five of six games, including the State Championship over Helix HS. In 2018, Folsom retained its CIF Div. 1-AA crown with a 21-14 overtime win over Cathedral Catholic. The team was 14-1 and 14 won straight games.  Folsom finished the year ranked 17th nationally by MaxPreps. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 775-209 and scored 50 or more points in 10 games.  The Bulldogs averaged 55.4 points per game during the win streak while holding opponents to 13.9 points per game. The team advanced to the State Championship with an 84-46 win over previously unbeaten Central HS of Fresno. Richardson and his wife, Kelly, have three children: Kooper, Kaden and Katie. Kooper was an offensive lineman for the Hornets in 2021 and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2022. Kaden played for the team through the 2024 season and joined the coaching staff in 2025. Katie is a senior at the University of Nevada.  

Eric Scott was named the co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach at Sacramento State in January 2026. Scott came to the Hornets after two seasons as the head coach at West Los Angeles JC.   Scott saw a three-game improvement from the first to his second season as the Wildcats posted a 7-4 overall record in 2025. The team won six of its final eight games of the regular season to earn a berth in the Beach Bowl. During the year, the team averaged 32.4 points per game.   Prior to taking the job at West LA, Scott was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at San Jose State from 2021-23. In 2022, the Spartan receivers combined for 2,552 yards and 15 touchdowns. Wide receiver Elijah Cooks led the charge with 10 touchdowns and had 1,076 yards on the season.   The following season, Nick Nash caught 48 passes for 728 yards and eight scores. That year, the team won its final six games of the regular season to become bowl eligible where the Spartans were selected to play in the EasyPoint Hawai’i Bowl. Scott joined the Spartans after four seasons at Nevada. Starting in 2017, he was the wide receivers coach. Scott added the duties of recruiting coordinator in 2018. As a member of the Wolf Pack staff, he coached players to four all-Mountain West postseason honors and three consecutive post-season bowl appearances.   Scott began his coaching career as an assistant coach, and eventually, offensive coordinator at Crenshaw HS from 1999-05. During those years, the Cougars won six Coliseum League titles and the 2005 CIF City Section championship. Scott returned to UCLA, where he was a student-athlete, to be a coaching intern in 2006 and the receivers coach the following year under Karl Dorrell.   He returned to high school football as the head coach at Centennial HS in Compton, Calif., from 2008-09. Scott was the offensive coordinator at Jordan HS (Long Beach) for two seasons and at Hamilton HS in LA for one. He was named the head coach at Los Angeles HS (2014-16) and led the Romans to at least 11 victories all three seasons. He was named the LA City Section Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2016. Throughout his long association with high school football in the Los Angeles area, also was a head coach in the Snoop Youth Football League that offered youngsters (ages 6-14)  an opportunity to play football, be mentored by responsible adults, and possibly earn a college scholarship offer.   Scott played three seasons for UCLA as a wide receiver and punt returner after beginning his college career at Northwestern. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in sociology in 1997 and added master’s degree from USC in social entrepreneurship in 2017. Coaching Experience 2024-25: West LA JC (head coach) 2021-23: San Jose State (wide receivers) 2017-20: Nevada (wide receivers) 2014-16: Los Angeles HS (head coach) 2012: Hamilton HS (offensive coordinator) 2006-08: UCLA (intern/wide receivers) 2010-11: Jordan HS (offensive coordinator) 2008-09: Centennial HS (head coach) 1999-05: Crenshaw HS (assistant coach)  

Manako Tuifua was named the defensive line coach at Sacramento State in January 2026.   Tuifua spent the previous two seasons as the defensive line coach at Northern Arizona where he worked alongside current Hornet defensive coordinator Adam Clark. In his first season in Flagstaff, Ariz., Tuifua coached Micah Carreon to a breakout year culminating in honorable mention all-Big Sky honors. Tuifua's defensive line unit was pivotal in the Lumberjacks ranking second in the Big Sky in total defense (316.5) and third in rush defense (139.8). Both marks ranked in the top 40 in the FCS with NAU's total defense placing 18th nationally. Tuifua came to NAU from Texas A&M-Kingsville where he was the defensive line coach for the Javelinas during the 2023 season.   Before his time with the Javelinas, he was the defensive line coach at Lane College. With the Dragons, Tuifua coached All-American Andrew Farmer, who led NCAA Div. II in tackles for loss. As a team, the Dragons were nationally ranked on defense with the second-most defensive touchdowns and 11th in tackles-for-loss.   Before he was at Lane College, he served as defensive line coach at Angelo State from 2019-21. Tuifua helped produce one All-American defensive lineman and seven Lone Star Conference (LSC) selections. Additionally, he assisted the Rams' defense to the top spot in several statistical categories within the LSC including total defense, rush defense, third-down defense, defensive touchdowns, sacks and interceptions. The Rams also had the second-best pass defense and scoring defense in the conference during his tenure.   Tuifua's first coaching stop was at Azusa Pacific in 2013 after finishing his collegiate playing career at APU where he was named the GNAC Defensive Lineman of the Year in the Cougars' first season of Div. II competition. With the Cougars, Tuifua produced 15 all-conference defensive linemen and one lineman of the year contributing to the winningest five-year period in program history that featured four conference championships.   A native of Hawaii, Tuifua played his first two seasons of college football at Pasadena City College before graduating from APU with a degree in sociology in 2013.   Coaching Experience 2024-25: Northern Arizona (Def. Line) 2023: Texas A&M-Kingsville (Def. Line) 2022: Lane College (Def. Line) 2019-21: Angelo State (Def. Line) 2013-18: Azusa Pacific (Def. Line)