Carroll University Men's Football

Mike Budziszewski was named the 30th head football coach in program history on January 5, 2020. The 2025 season will be Budziszewski's sixth year at the helm of the Pioneers. In his five seasons as head coach, Budziszewski has led the Pioneers to a record of 22-18, which is the ninth-most coaching victories in program history. During his Carroll tenure, Budziszewski has coached 23 All-Conference players, two CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year recipients, eight All-Region selections, and 24 CSC Academic All-District honorees. Budziszewski coached 10 All-Conference players in 2023, with three of those also earning All-Region honors and one being named CCIW First-year Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year. He also helped the Pioneers break six single season individual and team records that year, including points scored (364) and total offensive yards (4,027). Budziszewski came to Carroll from fellow-CCIW school, Millikin University, where he served as Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. During his tenure with the Big Blue, their offense became one of the strongest in the conference, ranking fifth in scoring, fourth in total offense per game, fourth in rushing offense, and fifth in passing offense. In his three years at Millikin, Budziszewski helped the team break more than 19 school and CCIW records in pass completions, pass attempts, passing touchdowns, passing yards, and receiving touchdowns. Budziszewski’s experience extends into the NAIA at Presentation College in South Dakota as Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. In 2016 Budziszewski was a finalist for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Assistant Coach of the Year. That season, Presentation finished with a 7-3 overall record, ranking in the top 25 in NAIA Division I in pass efficiency and scoring offense per game. A native of Greenfield, Wis., Budziszewski earned his Bachelor of Science in Education at UW-Oshkosh where he played quarterback. He received his Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Winona State University. Coach Budziszewski currently resides in Waukesha with his wife Kendra and two daughters Quinn and Lilly.   Mike Budziszewski Career Coaching Record Year Overall CCIW CCIW Finish 2020 *Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic 2021 6-4 .600 5-4 .556 4th 2022 6-4 .600 5-4 .556 5th 2023 5-5 .500 4-5 .444 5th 2024 5-5 .500 4-5 .444 5th TOTAL 22-18 .550 18-18 .500    

Josh Raby is in his second season as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Carroll University football team, where he coaches the Pios' wide receivers. He also serves as the Carroll football team's Academic Coordinator. A 2023 graduate of Carroll, Raby earned Magna Cum Laude Honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology. While at Carroll, Raby was a two-year starter for the Pioneers after transferring from the University of Dubuque. A team captain and two-time Academic All-District selection, Raby earned First Team All-Conference honors as a senior, breaking single season school records for passing yards (2,697) and completions (200), and single game records for total offense (423) and all-purpose yards (423). A native of Algonquin, Ill., Raby attended Dundee Crown High School. He currently resides in Waukesha, Wis.  

The 2025 season marks Jaxon Case's first year as an assistant football coach for the Pioneers, after a four-year playing career as a running back for the Pioneers. He is a Graduate Assistant Coach, in charge of coaching the Pios' running backs. Originally from South Jordan, Utah, Case graduated from Carroll with a degree in Sports Administration/Leadership. Case finished his playing career with 907 rushing yards on 196 carries (4.6 ypc) for the Pios, while also scoring six touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 18 passes for 131 yards in 32 career games.  

2025 marks Bill Conlan's first season as an assistant coach for the Pioneer football team, where he serves as a Graduate Assistant Coach in charge of coaching the Tight Ends. Originally from Peosta, Iowa, Conlan attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he graduated in December of 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Health and Fitness Studies with a concentration in Coaching. While at Wartburg, Conlan played multiple positions, but primarily as a Center. He helped the Knights win three consecutive conference championships, appearing twice in the national semifinal game, and once in a third-round playoff game. Conlan was part of an offensive line that was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week during the 2024 season. A two-time All-Conference selection at Center, Conlan helped the Knights accumulate a 43-7 record during his career. Conlan was named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society for 2025. He currently resides in Waukesha, Wis., and is pursuing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Carroll.  

Nick Mantas is in his second season as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Carroll University football team, where he coaches the Pios' defensive line. He also serves as the team's Film Coordinator and Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach. A 2023 graduate of Carroll, Mantas earned a degree in Finance, with a minor in Business Analytics. He was a four-year letter winner as a defensive lineman for the Pioneers, leading the CCIW in sacks as a senior, en route to All-Conference and All-Region honors. A native of Northbrook, Ill., Mantas attended Glenbrook North High School. He currently resides in Waukesha, Wis.  

Zachary Pleester is in his second season as an assistant coach for the Pioneers football program in 2025, where he is in charge of coaching the linebackers. A graduate of Carroll University, Pleester earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology. Originally from Watertown, Wis., he played four years as a Defensive Lineman for the Pioneers.  

Garren Holley was named Carroll's Defensive Coordinator in July of 2024 after serving the previous three as the team's Special Teams Coordinator. He also serves as Carroll's Student-Work Director and Community Culture Liaison. The 2025 season will mark Holley's fifth with the Carroll University football program. He has coached multiple All-Conference players on the Pios' defensive line and multiple All-Conference and All-Region Special Teams players. Holley came to Carroll from the Munich Cowboys of the German Football League, where he served as the Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. During his tenure with the Cowboys, the team became a league contender, including a playoff appearance in 2018. In Holley’s seven years with the Cowboys, and two previous seasons in 2013 and 2014 as Defensive Coordinator, he led the team to three playoff appearances, with nine players earning All-League All-Star honors, and several others earning collegiate scholarships in the United States. Holley also served as Defensive Coordinator for the women’s team and consultant for the youth programs. In 2018, Holley was named 2018 Seniors Coach of the Year by the American Football Verband Bayern.   Holley’s experience extends into the NAIA at Presentation College in South Dakota as the Defensive Backs Coach/Pass Game Coordinator/Academic Advisor. In 2016, Presentation had a 7-3 overall record. The school ranked in the top 10 in NAIA Division I in four major categories, as well as top five in total defense, pass defense, and pass defense efficiency. As an academic advisor, the Saints program recorded the highest team GPA, the highest number of student athletes above a 3.0, and the highest number of student athletes receiving recognition by the conference and nationally.   In summer 2015, Coach Holley was the Defensive Coordinator for the Wasa Royals, in the 1st Division of the Finnish American Football League. Holley’s team finished the season 7-2 and was the top ranked defense in all major categories. In 2012, coach Holley spent one season at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota as a Graduate Assistant working with defensive backs and the video coordinator. In 2011, Holley was an assistant football coach at the Sumner High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he coached the wide receivers and defensive backs and coordinated the special teams. Holley was also the Defensive Coordinator of the Junior Varsity team.   Coach Holley attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. He spent three years as a player and two years as a student assistant coach for the program, working with the defensive backs. Holley graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Holley is originally from Independence, Missouri and attended Truman High School. Holley and his wife Josefine Sjoeblom currently reside in Waukesha, Wis. with their two children, Kasper and Freyja.  

Ben Mathias began his second stint with the Carroll University football coaching staff in 2024, where he is the team's Special Teams Coordinator, while also coaching the safeties. Mathias previously served as a linebackers coach for the Pios from 2020-22. He spent the 2023 season as an assistant for Rhodes College, coaching the outside linebackers. Mathias also serves as Carroll's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Coordinator. Prior to his first stint at Carroll, Mathias coached five seasons at James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, Wis. As the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Mathias' group became the cornerstone of the team, winning back-to-back conference championships, three Madison city titles, and becoming the first high school located in Madison to make the state semi-finals. Mathias coached three linebackers that were named conference linebacker of the year.  As a student-athlete, Mathias was a three-year letter winner at UW-LaCrosse. While with the Eagles, he took snaps on both sides of the ball, playing defensive line, running back, fullback, and tight end. Mathias is a native of Madison, Wis. He attended Middleton High School.  

Gwen Breckheimer is in her second season as a member of the Pioneer football student staff. After beginning her journey as a student-worker, Gwen has taken on the expanded role of Director of Football Operations for the 2025 season. Originally from Hilbert, Wis., Gwen graduated from Hilbert High School in 2024. She is currently a sophomore at Carroll University, majoring in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Physical Therapy, while also competing on the Pios' Track & Field team. Gwen's current role includes daily football operations at practice, working with and training the student workers, travel preparation, bus preparation, and more. Football has been a part of Gwen's life for many years. Her father was a head football coach, and her brother Reed is a Tight End on Carroll's football team.  

Ken Ackerman was named the offensive coordinato and offensive line coach in February 2020. The 2025 season is Ackerman's sixth year with the Pioneers' football program. During the 2023 season, the Pioneers' offense set single season school records for points (364) and total offense (4,027 yards). Ackerman also serves as the Pioneers' Strength & Conditioning Coordinator. A native of Sacramento, Calif., Ackerman came to Carroll from Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he served as the run game coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator. Ackerman has also served as the offensive coordinator at Kentucky State, run game coordinator at South Dakota School of Mines, and at Humbolt State as a tight ends coach. Ackerman’s recruiting experience expands across 10 different states, including the western area of the United States. He has coached nine student-athletes to All-Conference seasons, including a freshman of the year at Kentucky State. While at South Dakota Mines, Ackerman helped the Minders set offensive records in total yards, passing yards, first downs, and points scored. Ackerman played collegiately at the University of Nevada, where he was the center for Quarterback Colin Kaepernick for more than 30 games. With Ackerman leading the blockers upfront, as the starting center of the offense, Nevada became the first school in college football history to have three 1,000-yard rushers in a single season in 2009. Ackerman was an All-Conference lineman for the Wolfpack in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), and was awarded the NEVADATUDIE Award for displaying grit and determination on and off the field. Ackerman currently resides in Waukesha, Wis. with wife Megan, and their two daughters, Sloane and Remington.