Grand Valley State University Men's Football

Scott Wooster is set for his third year as the head coach at Grand Valley State. Wooster, who was formally introduced at the eighth head coach in Grand Valley State football history January 24, 2023, spent the three years prior to being named head coach as the offensive line coach/run game coordinator for the Lakers.  GVSU finished the 2024 campaign with an 11-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.  Wooster guided the Lakers to an 11-2 overall mark in his first year at the helm, including the 2024 GLIAC Championship with a 6-0 mark and a berth in the NCAA Division playoffs. GVSU advanced to the Super Region 3 Championship game after playoff wins over Ferris State (21-14) and Pittsburg State (24-21). The Lakers dropped a 7-6 decision at eventual National Champion Harding in the NCAA quarterfinal.  Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Lakers played five games versus teams ranked in the top five nationally during the 2023 campaign, including a 49-28 victory over then top-ranked Ferris State on October 14. GVSU scored 43 points or more in eight consecutive games and limited opponents to 14 points or less nine games during the season.  Wooster mentored one of the most dominant offensive line in the country during the 2022 campaign. Grand Valley State led the GLIAC and ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (37.9 ppg), total offense (449.8 ypg), and rushing offense (228.7 ypg) in 2022. Wooster mentored an offensive line in 2022 that tallied five All-GLIAC honorees, including three first-team performers. In addition, offensive tackle Quinton Barrow was a consensus First-Team All-American, the GLIAC. Offensive Lineman of the Year, and was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl. The Laker ground game rushed for 3,327 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2022, averaging 5.6 yards per rush. During Wooster's two years leading the Laker offensive line on the field, GVSU has rushed for 6,263 yards and 76 touchdowns.  Wooster spent 11 years at Wayne State University, including seven as the offensive line coach. During his time at WSU as the offensive line coach, he mentored 13 All-GLIAC performers and one GLIAC?Offensive Lineman of the Year. Wooster coached the tight ends at Wayne State from 2010-13.   In 2019, three members of his offensive line group received All-GLIAC recognition, while the offensive line corps helped WSU rank 10th in fewest turnovers (12), 14th nationally in time of possession (32:40) and 24th in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.18). The previous year in 2018, he helped tutor two First Team All-GLIAC selections in Tommy Richardson and Israel Helms, along with WSU Offensive Rookie of the Year Reid Thompson.  WSU ranked 28th nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (5.09). Helms had tryouts with both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Wooster tutored two All-GLIAC performers in 2016 in left tackle Nate Theaker (GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year) and right guard Robert Kelly.  Theaker earned numerous All-America accolades (AFCA, D2CCA and Associated Press) and participated in the NFLPA Bowl as well as the NFL Combine.  Kelly had free agent tryouts with Kansas City and Atlanta.  Theaker was on the practice squad with both the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints during the 2017 NFL season.WSU scored the third-most TD in the GLIAC (52) in 2016 and finished sixth nationally in rushing offense (274.3 ypg), 10th in fewest TFL allowed (4.18 pg) and 23rd in yards per completion (14.59). He mentored two 2015 All-GLIAC performers in First Team selection Tommy Richardson and Second Team honoree Robert Kelly. In 2015, the WSU offense ranked 18th in yards per completion (14.83), 21st in red zone offense (86.8%), 33rd in time of possession (31:44) and 43rd in the rushing offense (194.0 yards per game).  After attending Eastern Michigan in the fall of 1995, he transferred to WSU in the spring of 1996 and saw limited action that season for the Tartars.  He then started all 11 games for WSU in both 1997 and 1998 at right tackle.  As a senior and team captain, Wooster lettered as a left guard in 1999.  He was twice named to the MIFC All-Academic team (1997 and 1999). Wooster earned his undergraduate degree from WSU in 2001 and a master's in exercise science with a concentration in exercise & sport psychology in 2007, also from WSU. Prior to joining the WSU coaching staff, he served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Warren Mott High School. Wooster and his wife, Christina, reside in Allendale and are the proud parents of  daughter, Elliana (13).

Postma enters his seventh year in charge of the Laker secondary and his second as the co-defensive coordinator. Postma is making his second stint on the Laker coaching staff, having served as a graduate assistant in 2007.     The youngsters that gained a significant amount of experience in 2014 turned in a big year in 2015. The last line of defense picked off 13 passes and tallied 74 pass breakups as a group. As a defense GVSU ranked 10th nationally in interceptions with 20. Senior safety Donte Carey was the veteran, while junior Garrett Pougnet tallied All-GLIAC honors after recording 105 tackles and three interceptions. Junior Tre Walton and sophomores Devin McKissic and Jacob Studdard picked off a combine nine passes and tallied 45 pass break ups in 2015.       Postma tutored a young secondary in 2014 that returns all but one player that played the majority of snaps. Deonte Hurst earned  all-america honors under Postma and will be missed, but depth at safety and cornerback figure to play a key role in 2015.       Postma mentored a defensive secondary that earned three All-GLIAC plaudits in 2013. Reggie Williams, Deonte Hurst and Erik Thompson each earned honors and held as the last line of defense. The Laker defensive backfield picked off 21 passes and held opponents to 216.8 passing yards per game. The aggressive unit played run support as well as defending the pass, evidenced by five secondary performers ranking among the top 10 in total tackles. In addition, the Laker secondary recorded 58 pass breakups. In this time of pass happy offenses, the GVSU secondary yielded just 20 passing TDs.     Postma tutored three All-GLIAC performers (Matt Bakker, Zach Breen, Rob Carlisle) in 2010 as GVSUs secondary picked off 18 passes and notched 35 pass deflections as a group in 2010. The Laker defensive secondary ranked among the leaders nationally in pass defense, pass breakups and interceptions.     Prior to his return to GVSU, Postma spent two years as an assistant coach at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio where he coached the defensive backs. Nick spent the 2006 campaign at Gannon University as a defensive backs coach.      A graduate of Saginaw Valley State, Postma earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science in June of 2005. Postma was a four-year letterwinner and a three-year starter for the Cardinals on the gridiron as a strong safety. Saginaw Valley State appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs each of his playing seasons, while also capturing a GLIAC Championship in 2003. SVSU compiled an overall record of 39-9 and a GLIAC mark of 34-6 during his career. Postma, who recorded 110 career tackles, earned All-GLIAC honors as a senior.   Nick Postma Co-Defensive Coordinator                     RECRUITING AREA: Northern and Eastern Detroit suburbs, Kansas Junior Colleges     Nick Postma enters his seventh year in charge of the Laker secondary and his second as the co-defensive coordinator. Postma is making his second stint on the Laker coaching staff, having served as a graduate assistant in 2007.     The youngsters that gained a significant amount of experience in 2014 turned in a big year in 2015. The last line of defense picked off 13 passes and tallied 74 pass breakups as a group. As a defense GVSU ranked 10th nationally in interceptions with 20. Senior safety Donte Carey was the veteran, while junior Garrett Pougnet tallied All-GLIAC honors after recording 105 tackles and three interceptions. Junior Tre Walton and sophomores Devin McKissic and Jacob Studdard picked off a combine nine passes and tallied 45 pass break ups in 2015.       Postma tutored a young secondary in 2014 that returns all but one player that played the majority of snaps. Deonte Hurst earned  all-america honors under Postma and will be missed, but depth at safety and cornerback figure to play a key role in 2015.       Postma mentored a defensive secondary that earned three All-GLIAC plaudits in 2013. Reggie Williams, Deonte Hurst and Erik Thompson each earned honors and held as the last line of defense. The Laker defensive backfield picked off 21 passes and held opponents to 216.8 passing yards per game. The aggressive unit played run support as well as defending the pass, evidenced by five secondary performers ranking among the top 10 in total tackles. In addition, the Laker secondary recorded 58 pass breakups. In this time of pass happy offenses, the GVSU secondary yielded just 20 passing TDs.     Postma tutored three All-GLIAC performers (Matt Bakker, Zach Breen, Rob Carlisle) in 2010 as GVSUs secondary picked off 18 passes and notched 35 pass deflections as a group in 2010. The Laker defensive secondary ranked among the leaders nationally in pass defense, pass breakups and interceptions.     Prior to his return to GVSU, Postma spent two years as an assistant coach at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio where he coached the defensive backs. Nick spent the 2006 campaign at Gannon University as a defensive backs coach.      A graduate of Saginaw Valley State, Postma earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science in June of 2005. Postma was a four-year letterwinner and a three-year starter for the Cardinals on the gridiron as a strong safety. Saginaw Valley State appeared in the NCAA Division II playoffs each of his playing seasons, while also capturing a GLIAC Championship in 2003. SVSU compiled an overall record of 39-9 and a GLIAC mark of 34-6 during his career. Postma, who recorded 110 career tackles, earned All-GLIAC honors as a senior.  

Grand Valley State head football coach Scott Wooster announced the addition of Jeff Reardon to the staff as the General Manager. Reardon was most recently the head coach at Detroit Community Christian College, a position he held since starting the program in 2023.  Reardon built the program in all facets from the beginning, showing continued growth each season. The Lions finished 6-6 in 2025 and played an extremely challenging schedule. The program recorded records both offensively and defensively in all areas. "As college football has evolved the past couple years, we made the decision to add the role of General Manager to our football staff," said Wooster.  "As we went on the search for this position, Coach Reardon's diverse experiences as a head coach of both a Junior College program as well as a high school, an Offensive Coordinator, and has coached on both sides of the ball made him the perfect fit.  He is one of the best football coaches I've been around, a tremendous talent evaluator, tireless recruiter, and has a great feel for game management. Coach Reardon has an incredible work capacity, fundraising experience, has led mega-camps, been creative with securing resources. He will add incredible value to GVSU football, and our student-athletes and I am extremely excited to get back to work with him," added Wooster. Prior to taking over at Detroit Community Christian, Reardon spent 10 years on the staff at Wayne State University. He began his time at Wayne State coaching the tight ends and then moved to coaching the quarterbacks. He also served as the passing game coordinator for the six years and was named the offensive coordinator in the spring of 2021. In 2021, WSU ranked among the league leaders in virtually every offensive category, including  second in the GLIAC in both third-down conversion percentage (40%) and yards per completion (13.1), third in rushing yards per game (181.5), yards per carry (4.8), total offense per game (359.5) and first downs per game (18.5), and fourth in scoring (24.1 points per game), passing yards per game (178.1), touchdown passes (15) and red zone touchdown percentage (57%). Reardon was a key contributor that helped the Warriors to a 7-1 GLIAC record in 2019, leading the conference (league games only) in both red zone offense (83% - 19-of-23) and time of possession (31:42), while ranking second in scoring offense (29.6 points per game), passing touchdowns (13) and third-down conversion percentage (41% - 43-of-105).  Wayne State was 24th nationally in fewest interceptions thrown (7) and 28th in yards per completion (14.61). Jeff and his wife, Lauren, are the proud parents of daughters Sadie and Sydnie.

       RECRUITING AREA: Southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo, Chicago Western Suburbs  Jim Louis enters his 12th year as linebacker coach and defensive coordinator for the Laker football program. Louis has helped mold a defense that has had signature games against a variety of offensive schemes. The GVSU defense has ranked among the national leaders in virtually every defensive category since his arrival. The Lakers' defense has been one of the best in country the last three years in all phases. GVSU has yielded an average of 14.5 points in the last  39 games, holding opponents to 14 points or less 25 times and 14 games of 10 points or less. Opponents have averaged 268.7 yards of total offense, including 94.3 yards rushing per game. In addition, GVSU has recorded 280 tackles for loss, 124 quarterback sacks and picked off 38 passes. Louis has tutored the likes of All-Americans Abe Swanson and Anthony Cardamone, while Jimmy Downs, Damonte McCurdy and Stevie Roncelli have earned All-GLIAC honors.  GVSU allowed 274.6 yards per game in 2023, including GLIAC best 71.0 ypg rushing defense and 16.5 ppg scoring defense. He tutored two-time (2022-2023) consensus All-American linebacker Abe Swanson, who will go down as one of the top defensive performers in GVSU football history.    The 2021 GVSU defense ranked among the national leaders in every defensive category, yielding 281.4 yards and 18.5 points per game. GVSU ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (108.9). The 2019 Laker defense yielded just 272.5 yards of total offense in 2019, including just 131.5 via the ground. In addition, GVSU gave up just 17.0 points per game.  Louis tutored three Lakers (Tyler Bradfield, Tyree Horton, Isaiah Nkansah) that earned All-GLIAC plaudits at linebacker as Grand Valley State ranked 18th nationally in turnover margin (+17) and 23rd in scoring defense (19.1) in 2018.    The Laker defense ranked among the national leaders in points allowed (13.0), passing yards allowed (127.5) and total defense (292.5). GVSU tallied two shutouts and held seven opponents under seven points. Senior LB Collin Schlosser earned First-Team Academic All-America honors.    The 2016 Laker defense ranked second in the GLIAC in points allowed per game (21.2), while leading the league in sacks (3.08) and tackles for loss (7.3) per game. In addition, the Lakers ranked second in interceptions (19) and red zone defense (0.651), while holding four opponents to seven points or less. David Talley, Collin Schlosser and Marquez Gollman earned All-GLIAC plaudits.      Louis’ 2015 unit limited opponents to 132.5 yards per game rushing, while leading the nation in QB sacks with 49 (-294) and tallied 111 tackles for loss (-454). The Lakers also produced 37 turnovers. Talley, who earned All-GLIAC honors, led the team with 128 tackles and 12 TFL, while Gollman, who was a first-team all-american, tallied 117 tackles and three interceptions. Schlosser garnered All-GLIAC honors and ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 84. The 2014 defense limited opponents to 351.0 yards per game and recorded 92 tackles for loss (360).  St. Cloud State experienced a great deal of success on the gridiron since his arrival in 2008. The Huskies were a combined 52-20 overall, including a 45-15 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. In addition, St. Cloud State captured two NSIC co-championships in 2010 and 2011 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs three times during his tenure on the defensive coordinator.  St. Cloud State led the nation in turnover margin in 2010 (+23) and ranked third during the 2013 campaign (+22). His 2011 defense ranked 10th in scoring (17.8 ppg) and 16th in pass defense (167.7 ypg). SCSU ranked among the top four in six defensive categories 22 times since 2008 in the NSIC and he coach a defensive all-american in each of the last three years.     Louis joined the St. Cloud State coaching staff after three seasons as an assistant coach at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. At Wartburg, he was hired as the defensive line coach in 2005, and in 2006 was named the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Louis directed his Wartburg defense to the number one ranking in nearly every category in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC). In 2007, the Knights were ranked in the top 15 nationally in five defensive categories, including second in the nation in scoring defense.     Louis was a part of the St. Cloud State football program from 1993 to 1997. A three-year starter, he earned All-North Central Conference recognition in 1996 as an Honorable Mention player and in 1997 as a Second Team honoree. He was also named to the 1996 and 1997 Academic All-North Central Conference teams. He ranked among the top five in Husky tackles during the 1995, 1996, and 1997 seasons. He was the second leading tackler for the Huskies in 1997 recording 94 that season. Louis currently ranks 14th on the St. Cloud State tackles chart with 236 during his career.  Jim and his wife, Stacy, are the proud parents of Zoe (21), Ben (19) and Trey (17).

Mac Carruth is in his first year as the defensive line coach at his alma mater. A former standout linebacker for the GVSU, Carruth was most recently the defensive line coach at Saginaw Valley State.    "We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Mac Carruth home to Grand Valley State,” said Wooster. “He has a unique coaching journey and his recent trajectory of the performance of his position group is incredible.  Combine this with his experiences in Allendale, on campus, and in Lubbers Stadium; as well has his life experiences bring tremendous value to us and made this a perfect fit,” added Wooster.    Carruth joined the SVSU defensive staff in 2019 as a linebacker coach and moved to the primary defensive line coach in 2022. While leading the Cardinal defensive line he mentored and developed five players that earned All-GLIAC plaudits, including Leonard Henry being named the GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2024. The Cardinal defense ranked among the national leaders in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense during his tenure on the SVSU staff.    “It is great to be home,” said Carruth. “Grand Valley helped mold me into the man I am today. I am so blessed to serve these young men and work at this great university. I am very appreciative of this opportunity and Tradition never graduates,” added Carruth.     Prior to joining the Saginaw Valley State staff Carruth was a defensive coach at Bridgeport High School where he helped the program to its first playoff appearance in 18 years.    Carruth was an outstanding performer for the Lakers on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker. He was a two-time All-GLIAC performer that tallied 187 career tackles, 20 tackles for loss (-71) and 13 pass deflections. GVSU was 54-2 during his career with four National Championships and four GLIAC titles. He was a member Saginaw High School’s State Championship team in 1999.   Carruth and his wife, Beyonca, are the proud parents of son Kameron (12) and infant daughter Ka’Mya Marlee.         

Grand Valley State head football coach Scott Wooster announced the appointment of Eli Reinhart as the Lakers' offensive coordinator/quarterback coach. Reinhart was most recently the head coach at Hutto High School (Tex.) for the 2025 season, leading the Hippos to a 9-3 record.  "We set out to find an offensive coordinator and quarterback coach with an aggressive, explosive and physical system that has the ability to get the ball into the hands of our best players," said Wooster. "After an extensive search we kept coming back to Coach Reinhart, with his creativity, innovation and alignment. He had a different energy in the way he wants to operate offensively, and his growth mindset made him the absolute right fit for the GVSU football program," added Wooster.  Reinhart led an impressive turnaround in his only season at Hutto, leading a squad that finished 4-6 in 2024, to a team that recorded the most wins in a single season since 2019 and recorded the first playoff win in six years. He guided an offense that led all 6A schools in the Austin area in points (41.0) and yards per game (479.3). His success earned statewide recognition, as he was recently named one of Dave Campbell's Top 10 first-year Texas high school head football coaches. Reinhart was the offensive coordinator/assistant head coach at North Crowley High School for three years prior to his move to Hutto. North Crowley went 42-2 during his tenure, highlighted by the 2024 Texas 6A Division 1 State Championship with a 16-0 record. Reinhart, who was named Dave Campbell's 2024 Texas Football Offensive Coordinator of the Year, guided one of the most prolific offenses in Texas High School football history. North Crowley set the Dallas-Ft. Worth single-season scoring record with 864 points, while also producing records for points per game (54.0), passing yards (3,769), rushing yards (4,479), total offense (8,528), rushing touchdowns (70) and passing touchdowns (58). The Panthers defeated national prep power Duncanville (36-34) in the semifinals and Austin Westlake (50-21) in the title game en route to a MaxPreps final national ranking of number three.   "I am incredibly honored to join Grand Valley State University and the storied tradition of Laker Football," said Reinhart. "I look forward to hitting the ground running with our great players and coaching staff to help build the vision I have for our offense. I am thankful for Coach Wooster's trust and belief in me for this opportunity and I can't wait to be back in my home state at one of the top programs in the country." Reinhart had coaching stints at Central Michigan, Northwood, Saginaw Valley State and Ferris State from 2018 – 2021 in various offensive capacities.  He comes from a football family with his father, Dennis, amassing more than 300 wins as the head coach at Montrose High School.

Scott Cooper begins his third year as the Grand Valley State tight ends coach. Cooper was a four-year standout for the Lakers on the gridiron as a tight end from 2017-22. Cooper guided a group of tight ends that was collectively one of the best units in the country the last three years. All-GLIAC performer Gavin Cossou and Drew Peterson combined to catch 22 passes for 263 yards in 2024. Cossou was a GLIAC First-Team performer in 2022, hauling ing 23 receptions for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while Drew Peterson caught six passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. The Laker tight ends are also very involved in a GVSU running game that ranks among the national leaders.   As a player, Cooper hauled in 14 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns during his career.